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2518 

A 

Copyrighted by Henry Altemus ^ of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsyl 
vania. A, D. i8g7, in the One Hundred and Twenty-second Year 
the Independence of the United States of America, 

\ _ ! 

- "v. 


HenhY AlTEIVIUS, ^^AN^FACTUREK, 


FHILAnELPHIA. 


LETTERS FROM ADINA. 


LETTER 1. 

My Dear Father: — My first duty, as it is my 
highest pleasure, is to comply with your com- 
mand to write you as soon as I arrived at Jeru- 
salem ; and this letter, while it conveys to you in- 
telligence of my arrival, will confirm to you my 
filial obedience. 

I will not fail to write you by every caravan 
that leaves here monthly for Cairo; and if there 
are more frequent opportunities, my love for 
you, dear father, and sympathy for you in your 
separation from me, will prompt me to avail my- 
self of them. 

My journey hither occupied many days, Rabbi 
Ben Israel says seventeen, but although I kept 
the number up to ten, I soon became too weary 
to keep the account. When we travelled in 
sight of the sea, which we did for three days, I 


14 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


enjoyed the majesty of the prospect, it seemed so 
like the sky stretched out upon the earth. I 
also had the good fortune to see several barges, 
which the Rabbi, who was always ready to grat- 
ify my thirst for information, informed me were 
Roman galleys, bound some to Sidon and others 
into the Nile; and after one of these latter, as it 
was going to you, I sent a prayer and a wish. 
Just as we were leaving the seashore to turn off 
into the desert, I saw a wrecked vessel. It looked 
so helpless and bulky, with its huge black body all 
out of the water, that it seemed to me like a great 
sea-monster, the Behemoth, stranded and dying; 
and I felt like pitying it. The Rabbi gave me to 
understand that it had come from Alexandria, 
laden with wheat, bound for Italia, and been cast 
ashore in a storm. How terrible a tempest must 
be upon the sea! I was in hopes to have seen a 
Leviathan, but was not gratified in the wish. The 
good Rabbi, who seemed to know all things, 
told me that they seldom appear now in the Mid- 
dle Sea, but are seen beyond the pillar of Her- 
cules at the world’s end. 

At Gaza we stopped two days. We entered 
the gateway of which Samson carried away the 
gates, and I was shown the hill two miles to the 
south-east where he left them. Many other 
places of interest were shown me, especially the 
field, which our path led across, where he put to 
flight the Philistine hosts with much slaughter. 
A lion’s cave was also pointed out to me,* out of 
which came the lion which Samson slew, and 
upon which he made his famous riddles. 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


15 


The dry well into which the ten Patriarchs 
lowered the Prince Joseph, their brother, was 
also shown me by our Arab guide, and the rock 
on which the Ishmaelites told down the pieces 
of silver. I fancied the old Arab related the oc- 
currence with more elation than was needful, as 
if he took pride in perpetrating the fact that our 
noble ancestor had once been the purchased 
slave of theirs. I noticed, several times during 
the journey, that the Ishmaelites of Edom in our 
caravan took every occasion to elevate their own 
race to the disparagement of the sons of Israel; 
indeed, Aben HussufI, our white-bearded chief 
of the caravan, in a wordy discussion with Rabbi 
Ben Israel at Isaac's well, where we encamped, 
would have it that Isaac was the son of the 1;)ond- 
woman, and Ishmael the true heir, but disinher- 
ited and cast out through the wiles of the bond- 
woman, who would have her own son the 
inheritor. But, of course, I was too well 
instructed in the history of my fathers to give 
heed to such a fable; though the Arabs all took 
part with their chief, and contended for the truth 
of what he asserted as warmly and zealously as 
the learned Rabbi did for the truth of his own 
side. 

The morning of the last day of our journey we 
caught sight of the Sea of Sodom and Gomor- 
rah, at a great distance to the east. How my 
pulse quickened at beholding that fearful spot so 
marked by the wrath of Jehovah! I seemed to 
see in imagination the heavens on fire above it, 
and the flames and smoke ascending as from a 


16 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


great furnace, as on that fearful day when they 
were destroyed, with all that beautiful surround- 
ing plain, which we are told was one vast garden 
of beauty. How calm and still lay now that 
sluggish sea beneath a cloudless sky! We held 
it in sight many hours, and once caught a 
glimpse of the Jordan north of it, looking like a 
silver thread; yet, near as it appeared to be, I was 
told it was a good day’s journey for a camel to 
reach its shores. 

After losing sight of this melancholy lake, the 
glassy sepulchre of cities and their countless 
dwellers, our way lay along a narrow valley for 
sometime, when, all at once, on reaching an 
eminence, Jerusalem appeared, like a city risen 
out of die earth, it stood before us so unexpect- 
edly; for we were still, as it were, in the desert; 
yet so near on the side of our approach does the 
desert advance to its walls, that it was not two 
miles off when we beheld it. 

I cannot, my dear father, describe to you my 
-emotions on beholding the Holy City! They 
have been experienced by millions of our people 
— they were similar to your own as you related 
them to me. All the past, with its mighty men 
who walked with Jehovah, came up to my rnind, 
overpowering me with the amazing weight. 
The whole history of the sacred place rushed to 
my memory, and compelled me to bow my head, 
and worship and adore at the sight of the 
Temple, where God once (alas, why does He no 
longer visit earth and His Holy House?) dw<^lt 
in the flaming Shechinah, and made known the 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


17 


oracles of His will. I could see the smoke of the 
evening sacrifice ascending to the skies, and I 
inwardly prayed Jehovah to accept it for thee 
and me. 

As we approached the city several interesting 
spots were pointed out to me, and I was 
bewildered with the familiar and sacred 
localities which I had known hitherto only by 
reverential reading of the Prophets. It seemed 
to me that I was living in the days of Isaiah and 
Jeremiah, as places associated with their names 
were shown me, rather than in the generation to 
which I properly belong. Indeed, I have lived 
only in the past the three days I have been in 
Jerusalem, constantly consulting the sacred 
historians to compare places and scenes with 
their accounts, and so verify each with a holy 
awe and inward delight that must be felt to be 
understood; but, dear father, you have yourself 
experienced all this, and therefore can under- 
stand my emotions. 

We entered the city just before the sixth hour 
of the evening, and were soon at the house of 
our relative Amos, the Levite. I was received 
as if I had a daughter's claim to their embraces; 
and with the luxuries with which they surround- 
ed me in my gorgeously furnished apartments, I 
am sure they meant to tempt me to forget the 
joys of the dear home I had left. 

The Rabbi Amos and his family all desire to be 
commended to you. As it is his course to serve 
in the Temple, I do not see much of him, but he 
seems to be a man of piety and benevolence, and 


18 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

greatly loves his children. I have been once to 
the Temple. Its outer court seemed like a vast 
caravansera or market-place, being thronged 
with the men who sell animals for sacrifice, 
which crowded all parts. Thousands of doves 
in large cages were sold on one side, and on 
another were stalls for lambs, sheep, calves, and 
oxen, the noise and bleating of which, with the 
confusion of tongues, made the place appear like 
anything else than the Temple of Jehovah. It 
appears like desecration to use the Temple thus, 
dear father, and seems to show a want of that 
holy awe of God's house that once characterized 
our ancestors. I was glad to get safely through 
the Bazaar, which, on the plea of selling to sacri- 
ficers victims for the altar, allows, under color 
thereof, every other sort of traffic. On reaching 
the women's court I was sensible of being in the 
Temple, by the magnificence which surrounded 
me. With what awe I bowed my head in the 
direction of the Holy of Holies! I never felt 
before so near to God! Clouds of incense 
floated above the heads of the multitude, and 
rivers of blood flowed down the marble steps of 
the altar of burnt offering. Alas ! how many in- 
nocent victims bleed every morning and evening 
for the sins of Israel! What a sea of blood has 
been poured out in the ages that have passed! 
What a strange, fearful mystery, that the blood 
of an innocent lamb should atone for sins I have 
done! There must be some deeper meaning in 
these sacrifices, dear father, yet unrevealed to us. 

As I was returning from the Temple I met 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


19 


many persons walking and riding, who seemed 
to be crowded out of the gate on some unusual 
errand. I have since learned that there is a very 
extraordinary man — a true prophet of God, it is 
believed by many, who dwells in the wilderness, 
fifteen miles eastward, near Jordan, and who 
preaches with power unknown in the land since 
the days of Elijah and Elisha. It is to see and 
listen to this prophet that so many persons are 
daily going out from Jerusalem. He lives in a 
cave, feeds on plants or wild honey, and drinks 
only water, while his clothing is the skin of a 
lion; at least, such is the report. I hope he is a 
true prophet of Heaven, and that God is once 
more about to remember Israel; but the days of 
the Prophets have long passed away, and I fear 
this man is only an enthusiast; but his influence 
over all who listen to him is so remarkable, that 
it would seem, and one has almost the courage 
to believe, that he is really endowed with the 
Spirit of the Prophets. 

Farewell, dear father, and let us ever pray for 
the glory of Israel. Your affectionate 

ADINA. 


LETTER IL 


My Dear Father: — The excellent Rabbi, Ben 
Israel, has just made known to me his intention 
of returning to Egypt to-morrow, and has wait- 
ed upon me, to inquire if I had any commands 
to entrust him with, for my friends in Alexan- 
dria. Instead of this letter, which he will be the 
bearer of to you, I would rather commit myself a 
second time to his care, and instead of placing 
this parchment in your hand, let him lay your 
child again upon 3^our bosom. But it is by your 
wish, dear father, that I am here, and though I 
sigh to behold you once more, I will try to be 
content in my absence from you, knowing that 
my discontent would cause sorrow to bow down 
your gray hairs. 

So far as a daughter can be happy from the 
home of her youth, I have everything to render 
me so. The good Rabbi Amos in his kindness 
recalls your own mild and dignified countenance, 
and Rebecca, his noble wife, my cousin, is truly 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID 


21 


a mother in Israel. Her daughter Mary, my 
younger cousin, in her affectionate attachment 
to me, shows me how much love I have lost in 
never having had a sister. It is altogether a 
lovely household, and I am favored by the God 
of our fathers in having my lot, during my exile 
from my home on the banks of the beautiful 
Nile, cast in so peaceful and holy a domestic 
sanctuary. 

The street in which we dwell is elevated, and 
from the roof of the house, where I love to walk 
in the evening, watching the stars that hang over 
Egypt, there is commanded a wide prospect of 
the Holy City. The stupendous Temple, with 
its terraces piled on terraces of dazzling marble,, 
with its glittering fountains shooting upward 
like palm trees of liquid silver, with its massive 
yet beautiful walls and towers, is ever in full 
sight. The golden arc, that spans the door which 
leads into the Holy of Holies, as it catches the 
sunbeams of morning, burns like a celestial cor- 
onet with an unearthly glory. I dare not gaze 
steadily upon that holy place, or imagine the 
blinding splendor within, of the visible presence 
of Jehovah, in the Shechinah once present there. 

Yesterday morning I was early on the house- 
top, to behold the first cloud of the day-dawn 
sacrifice rise from the bosom of the Temple. 
When I had turned my gaze towards the sacred 
summit, I was awed by the profound silence 
which reigned over the vast pile that crowned 
Mount Moriah. The sun was not yet risen; but 
the east blushed with a roseate purple, and the 


22 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


morning star was melting into its depths. Not 
a sound broke the stillness of the hundred streets 
within the walls of Jerusalem. Night and si- 
lence still held united empire over the city and 
the altar of God. I was awe-silent. I stood 
with my hands crossed upon my bosom and my 
head reverently bowed, for in the absence of man 
and his voice I believed angels were all around 
in heavenly hosts, the guardian armies of this 
wondrous city of David. Lances of light now 
shot upwards and across the purple sea in the 
east, and fleeces of clouds, that reposed upon it 
like barks, catching the red rays of the yet un- 
risen sun, blazed like burning ships. Each 
moment the darkness fled, and the splendor of 
the dawn increased; and when each instant I ex- 
pected to see the sun appear over the battle- 
mented heights of Mount Moriah, I was thrilled 
by the startling peal of the trumpets of the 
priests : a thousand silver trumpets blown at 
once from the walls of the Temple, and shaking 
the very foundation of the city with their mighty 
voice. Instantly the house-tops everywhere 
around were alive with worshipers! Jerusalem 
started, as one man, from its slumbers, and, with 
their faces towards the Temple, a hundred thous- 
and men of Israel stood waiting. A second 
trumpet-peal, clear and musical as the 
voice of God when He spake to our 
father Moses in Horeb, caused every knee 
to bend, and every tongue to join in 
the morning song of praise. The murmur of 
voices was like the continuous roll of the surge 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


23 


upon the beach, and the walls of the lofty Tem- 
ple, like the cliff, echoed it back. Unused to 
this scene, for we have nothing like this majesty 
of worship in Alexandria, I stood rather as a 
spectator than a sharer, as it became thy 
daughter to have been, dear father. Simul- 
taneously with the billow-like swell of the 
adoring hymn, I beheld a pillar of black 
smoke ascend from the midst of the 
Temple, and spread itself above the court 
like a canopy. It was accompanied by a blue 
wreath of lighter and more misty appearance, 
which threaded in and out, and entwined about 
the other, like a silvery strand woven into a sable 
cord. This latter was the smoke of the incense 
which accompanied the burnt sacrifice. As I 
saw it rise higher and higher, and finally over- 
top the heavy cloud, which was instantly en- 
larged by volumes of dense smoke that rolled 
upward from the consuming victim, and slowly 
disappeared, melting into heaven, I also kneeled, 
remembering that on the wdngs of the incense 
w^ent up the prayers of the people; and ere it 
dissolved wholly, I entrusted to it, dear father, 
prayers for thee and me! 

How wonderful is our religion! How mys- 
terious this daily sacrifice, so many hundreds 
of years offered up for the sins of our fathers and 
of ourselves! How, I have often asked myself 
since I have been here, how can the blood of a 
heifer, of a lamb, or of a goat, take away sins? 
What is the mysterious relation existing be- 
tween us and these dumb and innocent brutes? 


24 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


How can a lamb stand for a man before God? 
The more I reflect upon this awful subject, the 
more I am lost in wonder. I have spoken to 
Rabbi Amos of these things, but he only smiles, 
and bids me think about my embroidery; for 
cousin Mary and I are working a rich gold 
border in the phylactery of his next New Year’s 
garment. 

The evening sacrifice, which I witnessed yes- 
terday, is, if possible, more imposing than that of 
the morning. Just as the sun dips beyond the 
hill of Gibeah, overhanging the valley of Aijalon, 
there is heard a prolonged note of a trumpet 
blown from one of the western watch-towers of 
Zion. Its mellow tones reach the farthest ear 
within the gates of the city. All labor at once 
ceases! Every man drops the instrument of 
his toil, and raises his face towards the summit 
of the house of God. A deep pause, as if all 
held their breath in expectation, succeeds. Sud- 
denly the very skies seem to be riven, and shak- 
en with the thunder of the company of trumpet- 
ers that rolls, wave on wave of sound, from the 
battlements of the Temple. The dark cloud of 
sacrifice ascends in solemn grandeur, and some- 
times heavier than the evening air, falls like a 
descending curtain around the Mount, till the 
W'hole is veiled from sight; but above it is seen 
to soar the purer incense to the invisible Jeho- 
vah, followed by a myriad eyes, and the utter- 
ance of a nation’s prayers. As the daylight 
faded, the light of the altar, hidden from us by 
the lofty walls of the outer court of the Temple, 


THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OP DAVID. 


25 


blazed high and beacon-like, and lent a wild sub- 
limity to the towers and pinnacles that crowned 
Moriah. 

There was, however, my dear father, last even- 
ing, one thing which painfully marred the holy 
character of the sacred hour. After the blast of 
the silver trumpets of the Levites had ceased, 
and while all hearts and eyes were ascending to 
Jehovah with the mounting wreaths of incense, 
there came from the Roman castle adjoining the 
City of David a loud martial clangor of brazen 
bugles, and other barbarian war-instrunrents of 
music, while a smoke, like the smoke of sacrifice, 
rose from the height of David’s fortified hill. I 
was told that it was the Romans engaged in wor- 
shiping Jupiter, their idol God! Oh, when, 
when shall the Holy City be freed from the re- 
proach of the stranger! Alas, for Israel! Her 
inheritance “is turned to strangers, and her 
houses to aliens.” Well said Jeremiah the 
Prophet, “The kings of the earth and all the in- 
habitants of the world would not have believed 
that the adversary and the enemy should have 
entered into the gates of Jerusalem.” How truly 
now are the prophecies fulfilled, which are to be 
found in the Lamentations: “The Lord hath 
cast off His altar. He hath given up into the 
hands of the enemy the walls of her palaces : they 
have made a noise in the house of the Lord, as in 
the day of a solemn feast.” For these things I 
weep, my dear father; even now, while I write, 
my tears drop on the parchment. Why is it so? 
Why does Jehovah suffer the adversary to dwell 


26 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


within his holy walls, and the smoke of his abom- 
inable sacrifices to mingle with that of the offer- 
ings of the consecrated priests of the Most High? 
Surely, Israel has sinned, and we are punished 
for our transgressions. It becomes the land ''to 
search and try its ways and turn unto God,” if 
perhaps He will return and have mercy, and re- 
store the glory of Israel. Our kings are the ser- 
vants of the Gentiles. Our laws are no more. 
Our prophets no longer see visions. God has 
gone up in anger, and no longer holds discourse 
with his chosen people. The very smoke of the 
daily sacrifice seems to hang above the Temple 
like a cloud of Jehovah's wrath. 

Nearly three hundred years have passed since 
we have had a prophet — that divine and youth- 
ful Malachi! Since his day. Rabbi Amos con- 
fesses that Jehovah has ceased from all known 
intercourse with his people and holy house; nor 
has He made any sign of having heard the pray- 
ers or heeded the sarifices that have been offered 
to Him in His time! I inquired of the intelli- 
gent Rabbi, if this would always be thus? He 
leplied, that when Shiloh came there would be a 
restoration of all things — that the glory of Jeru- 
salem then would fill the whole earth with the 
splendor of the sun, and that all nations should 
come up from the ends of the world to worship 
in the Temple. He acknowledges that we are 
now under a cloud for our sins; but that a 
brighter day is coming when Zion shall be the 
joy of the whole earth. 

My conversation with Rabbi Amos, dear 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


27 


father, a conversation which grew out of the sub- 
ject of the Roman garrison occupying the cita- 
del of David, and offering their pagan sacrifices 
by the side of our own smoking altars, led me to 
examine the Book of the Prophet Malachi. I 
find that after plainly alluding to our present 
shame, and reproaching the priests '‘for causing 
the people to stumble,’’ and thus making them- 
selves "contemptible and base before all na- 
tions,” he thus prophesies: "Behold, I will 
send my messenger, and he will prepare the way 
before me, and the Lord whom ye seek shall sud- 
denly come to his Temple; and he shall sit as a 
refiner and purifier of silver, and he shall purify 
the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and 
silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an 
offering in righteousness. Behold,” adds the 
divine seer, "I will send you Elijah the prophet 
before the coming of the great and dreadful day 
of the Lord.” 

These words I read to-day to Rabbi Amos — 
indeed, I was reading them when Rabbi Ben 
Israel came in to say that he departs to-morrow. 
The excellent Amos looked grave, graver than I 
had ever seen him look. I feared that I had 
offended him by my boldness, and, approaching 
him, was about to embrace him, when I saw 
tears were sparkling in his eyes. This discovery 
deeply affected me, you may be assured, dear 
father; and, troubled more to have grieved than 
displeased him, I was about to ask his forgive- 
ness for intruding these sacred subjects upon his 
notice, when he took my hand, and smiling. 


28 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


while a glittering drop danced down his snow- 
white beard and broke into liquid diamonds 
upon my hand, he said, “You have done no 
wrong, child: sit down by me and be at peace 
with thyself. It is too true, in this day, what the 
Prophet Malachi writeth, Ben Israel,’' he said, 
sadly, to the Alexandrian Rabbi: “The priests of 
the Temple have indeed become corrupt, save 
the few here and there! It must have been at 
this day the Prophet aimed his words. Save in 
the outward form, I fear the great body of our 
Levites have little more true religion and just 
knowledge of the one God Jehovah, than the 
priests of the Romish idolatry! Alas, I fear me, 
God regards our sacrifices with no more favor 
than He looks upon theirs! To-day, while I 
was in the Temple, and was serving at the altar 
with the priests, these words of Isaiah came into 
my thoughts and would not be put aside: 'To 
what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices 
unto me? ’ saith the Lord; T am full of the burnt 
offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and 
I aelight not in the blood of bullocks, or of 
lambs, or of he goats. Bring no more vain obla- 
tions; incense is an abomination unto me; I am 
weary to bear them; yea, when ye spread forth 
your hands I will hide mine eyes from you; 
yea, when ye make many prayers I will not hear; 
your hands are full of blood! Wash you; make 
you clean. Cease to do evil ; learn to do well ! ’ 
“These terrible words of the prophet,” added 
Rabbi Amos, addressing the amazed Ben Israel, 
“were not out of my mind while I was in the 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


29 


Temple. They seemed to be thundered in my 
ears by a voice from heaven. Several of the 
younger priests, whose levity during the sacrifice 
had been reproved by me, seeing me sad, asked 
the cause. In reply, I repeated, with a voice 
that seemed to myself to be inspired, the words 
of the prophet. They turned pale and trembled, 
and thus I left them.'’ 

‘T have noticed," said Ben Israel, ‘'that there 
is less reverence now in the Temple than when 
I was in Jerusalem a young man; but I find that 
the magnificence of the ceremonies is increased." 

“Yes," responded Ben Amos, wdth a look of 
sorrow; “yes, as the soul of piety dies out from 
within, they gild the outside. The increased 
richness of the worship is copied from the 
Roman. So low are we fallen! Our worship, 
with all its gorgeousness, is as a sepulchre white- 
w^ashed to conceal the rottenness within!" 

You may be convinced, my dear father, that 
this confession, from such a source, deeply 
humbled me. If, then, we are not worshiping 
God, what do we worship? If Jehovah of Hosts, 
the God of our Fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and 
Jacob, hides his face from our sacrifices, and is 
w^eary with our incense, whom does Israel wor- 
ship? NOUGHT! We are worse off than our 
barbarian conquerors, for we have no God; while 
they, at least, have gods many and lords many, 
such as they are! Alas, alas, the time of the 
judgment of Jerusalem seems to be at hand. 
The Lord must suddenly come to his Temple, 
and as a refiner! I am deeply impressed wdth 


30 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


the conviction that the day is very near at hand! 
Perhaps we shall see it in our lifetime, dear 
father! 

Since writing the last line I have been inter- 
rupted by Mary, who has brought to see me a 
youth, son of a noble Jewish ruler, who was slain 
by the Romans for his patriotic devotion to his 
country. Pie dwells near the Gaza gate, with 
his widowed mother, who is a noble lady, hon- 
ored by all lips that discourse of her. Between 
this young man and Mary there exists a beauti- 
ful attachment, not ardent enough to be love, 
but sincere enough for the purest friendship; yet 
each day their friendship is ripening into the 
deepest emotion. Pie has just returned from 
the vicinity of Jericho, where he has been for 
some days past, drawn thither by curiosity, to 
see and hear the new prophet, alluded to by me 
at the close of my last letter, whose fame has 
spread far and wide, and who is drawing thous- 
ands into the wilderness, to listen to the elo- 
quence that flows from his mouth. The young 
man had been giving Mary so interesting an 
account of him that she desired me also to be a 
listener! In my next I will write you all I heard; 
and I trust, dear father, you will patiently bear 
with me in all things; and believe that, however 
I may, from the investigating character of my 
mind, venture upon sacred mysteries, I shall 
never be less a lover of the God of our^ather 
Abraham, nor less the affectionate and devoted 
Adina to thee! Adieu. 


ADINA. 


LETTER III. 


My Dear Father: — This morning, as I was 
coming from the Temple, whither I had gone to 
worship and witness the imposing ceremony of 
the presentation of the First Fruits, I noticed a 
vast pile of edifices crowning the opposite rock, 
which I was told was the Tower of Antonia. It 
seemed to frown sternly down upon the Temple; 
and upon its battlements glittered, at intervals, 
numerous Roman eagles. I had so often heard 
you relate historical events connected with this 
celebrated castle, that I regarded it with peculiar 
interest. You, who had so frequently de- 
scribed it to me, seemed to stand by my side as I 
gazed upon it. The four towers, one at each 
corner, are still as they stood when you fought 
from the northernmost one, and defended it 
single-handed against the Romans. But now 
these barbarians throng its courts, and their 
bugles, which have sounded from the conquered 
walls of every land on earth, are even heard in 
the ears of the citizens of Jerusalem. The inso- 
lence and power of the Roman garrison have 


32 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

made the beautiful walk' about the base of the 
Tower almost deserted; but of this I was not 
aware; and, attended only by my Ethiopian 
slave, Onia, I lingered to admire the splendor of 
the cloister once surrounding the treasure-house 
of the Temple, with its terraces supported by 
white marble pillars, fifteen cubits high, when 
two Roman soldiers coming from one of the city 
gates, approached me on their way back to the 
castle. It was then that I saw I was alone, the 
company who had left the temple with me being 
gone far in advance of me. I drew my veil 
closely, and would have passed them with a 
rapid step, when one of them placed himself in 
my path, and catching hold of my veil, tried to 
detain me. I left it in his grasp and was flying, 
when the other soldier arrested me. This was in 
full view of the castle, and at my shrieks the bar- 
barians in the castle laughed aloud. At this 
crisis appeared a young Centurion, who was on 
horseback, coming down the rocky path that 
ascends the Rock of Zion, and calling aloud to 
them, he galloped forward, and with his sword 
put the men, who were drunk with wine, to 
immediate flight, and rescued me, at the same 
time sending the two soldiers under arrest into 
the castle. He then addressed me in the gen- 
tlest manner, and apologized for the rudeness I 
had met with at the hands of his men, saying that 
they should be severely dealt with. I was struck 
with his manly beauty, his civility, and his air of 
patrician command, although he could not have 
been more than eight and twenty. In order to 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. 


33 


escort me safely to the streets below, he alighted 
from his horse, and leading him by the rein, 
walked by my side. I confess to you, dear 
father, I had not reached the house of my relative 
before my prejudices against the Romans were 
greatly modified. I had found in one of them as 
courteous a person as I had ever met with 
among my ov/n countrymen, and for his sake I 
was willing to think better of his barbaric land 
and people. He saw through my prejudices, and 
how I shrunk from him as he walked by me; and 
while we descended the height, he spoke elo- 
quently in defence of his native land, of its fair 
daughters, of its wise men, its brave chiefs, its 
power and glory, and its dominion over the 
whole earth! 

When I heard him use these last words, I 
sighed deeply, for Judah, it is prophesied, should 
have dominion over the whole earth, and these 
Romans, therefore, hold the dominion that right- 
fully belongs to our people. How is this, dear 
father? How is it that these barbaric men are 
permitted by Jehovah to hold the sceptre that is 
the rightful heritage of the Lion of the tribe of 
Judah? How many times in a day, since I have 
been in Jerusalem, have I been reminded of the 
degradations of my people? How is it that these 
enemies of Jehovah, these worshipers of false 
gods, stand in the Holy place, and usurp the 
power that God has given to us? 

I put these questions to Amos, the good 
priest, after I had returned home; for my ac- 
count of my adventure naturally led to a conver- 


34 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


sation upon the Roman dominion over the earth. 
It appears that this noble Centurion is not un- 
known to Rabbi Amos, who speaks of him as 
one of the most popular Roman officers in com- 
mand in the city. I am glad to hear this. He 
also gave me warning not to approach again 
near the garrison points of the town, as the sol- 
diers take pleasure in giving annoyance to the 
citizens. 

While I was writing the above, a commotion 
without, as if something unusual was occurring, 
drew me to the lattice, which overlooks the 
street that goes out of the gate to Bethany, one 
of the most frequented thoroughfares in the city. 
The sight that met my eyes was truly imposing, 
but made my heart sink with shame. It was a 
pageant, with banners, eagles, trumpets, and 
gilded chariots ! but not the pageant of a king of 
Israel, like those which dazzled the streets of 
Jerusalem in the days of Solomon and King 
David! not the triumphant passage of an Israel- 
itish prince, but of the Roman governor! Pre- 
ceded by a cohort of horses, he rode in a gilded 
war-chariot, lolling at his ease beneath a silken 
shade of blue silk, fringed with gold. The 
horses were snowy-white, and covered with sil- 
ver mail, and adorned with plumes. He was 
followed by another body of cavalry, chiefly 
composed of richly attired young men, and at 
the head of them, looking more like a ruler and 
prince than the indolent Pilate, I beheld the gen- 
erous Centurion who had aided my escape from 
the two soldiers. His eye sought the lattice at 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


35 


which I stood, and I drew back, but not before 
he had seen me and saluted me. Certainly, 
father, this youth is noble and courteous enough 
to be a Jew, and should any providence cause us 
to meet again, I shall try and convert him from 
his idolatry to serve the living Jehovah. I was 
not pleased with the appearance of the governor. 
He is a dark, handsome man, but too fleshy, and 
with the countenance of a man given to much 
wine; and I learn that he is naturally indolent 
and luxurious, and deficient in decision of char- 
acter. He is a particular friend of the Roman 
Emperor, and to his partiality he owes the gov- 
ernorship here. It is, however, better to have a 
table-lover and idle man for our master, than a 
cruel and active tyrant like his predecessor, in an 
insurrection against whom was slain that emi- 
nent man, the father of John, the cousin of Mary, 
of whom I spoke to you in my last letter. 

And this reminds me that I had something to 
relate to you. You will remember, dear father, 
that I alluded to an excitement that is increasing 
every day, in reference to a new prophet, who is 
preaching in the wilderness of Jericho, and 
whose life is as austere as was that of Elijah? 
For three weeks past several parties of citizens 
have been to the valley of Jordan to see and hear 
him, and have so far been carried away by him, 
as to have been baptized of him in Jordan, con- 
fessing their sins. Among these is John, the 
cousin and betrothed of Mary, who, having 
heard much said of the power with which this 
man spoke-, by those who had returned, also 


36 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


went to satisfy his curiosity, and, as he says, with 
a secret hope that God had again remembered 
Israel, and sent to us a prophet of reconciliation. 
Upon his return we saw that his countenance 
was animated beyond its wont, for he is usually 
of a sad and gentle aspect, and that his fine eyes 
beamed with an ardent hope, that seemed new- 
born in his soul. He thus recounted to us his 
visit to the prophet of Jordan: 

''After leaving the gate and crossing the brook 
and valley of Kedron, I encountered a large 
company, who w^ere ascending the road that 
wdnds over the south side of Olivet. These were 
men, women and children, and they were pro- 
vided with food in baskets, and travel as our 
people do, when they come up to the Feast of 
the Passover. I found on joining them that 
they w^ere directing their steps also towards the 
wilderness, in order to hear the great prophet, 
whose fame was in all men’s mouths. Among 
them were priests and judges, Sadducees, and 
Pharisees, and Esenes, and even men of no faith; 
for even in Judah we have many ten thousands 
who believe in no God, so long has it been since 
Jehovah hath visited his people! 

"Passing on ahead of this company, I being 
w^ell-mounted, and they travelling slowly, I at 
length reached the summit of the hill, from 
which I obtained a distant view of the valley of 
the Jordan, and even thought I could make out 
the town of Jericho, though the distance was 
thirty or more miles. I looked back to take a 
parting glance at the city. How like the "City 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


37 


of God’’ it crowned its lordly hills! All the glory 
of Jerusalem, of the past, came before my mem- 
ory, and I sighed that that glory had departed,, 
not in the destruction of its edifices, for Jerusa- 
lem is still magnificent and imposing, but in the 
downfall of its power. I heard, distant as I was, 
'the strains of the Roman bugles, echoing over 
the valleys where the prophets, priests and kings 
lay buried, and reverberating from the Temple 
walls, the sacred echoes of which, aforetime, had 
been awakened by the voice of God! Geth- 
semane, the fair garden of Solomon, where he 
tried to create a second Eden, lay at my feet, its 
walls broken, and its walks wild and overgrown; 
here and there a fig or an olive, or a palm tree 
only, remaining to tell the passing traveller that 
here was ‘the delight of gardens, the abode of 
pleasure and of mirth, from which w^ere excluded 
all who were sorrowful, that no tears might fall 
upon its enameled floors, dedicated to voluptuous 
joy.’ This description of it, given by our poets,, 
passed through my mind, as I beheld its melan- 
choly and deserted aspect — looking more like a 
place of tears than joy, as if its shades would 
invite the sorrowful to weep in them, rather than 
the silvery feet of the dancer! 

'T soon reached the pretty town of Bethpage,. 
wTere, at the inn, I beheld several horsemen just 
mounting to go in the direction of Jericho. Sev- 
eral of them I knew, and, on joining the caval- 
cade, learned they were for the most part drawn 
out of Jerusalem on the same errand of curiosity 
with myself. But one of them, however, a 


38 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


wealthy young noble of Arimathea, was actuated 
by the same holy desire that burned in my 
bosom, a desire that we might, in the prophet 
Avho was called John, discover a man sent from 
God. The others were bent on commerce, on 
pleasure, on mere idle curiosity, to see one of 
whom every one talked in all the land of Judea. 
As Joseph of Arimathea and I rode together, we 
conversed about the man we expected to see, 
and the different reports which were noised 
abroad respecting him. My companion seemed 
to believe that he was a true prophet, for being 
very well read in the Scriptures, he said that the 
seventy weeks of Daniel were now about com- 
pleted, when the Messiah was to come. I then 
asked him if he believed that the Messiah, who 
was to be 'a Prince and King, and have domi- 
nion from the sea to the ends of the earth,' would 
come in the wilderness, clad in the skins of wild 
beasts? To this he replied, that he could not 
regard this prophet as the Messiah, for when the 
Christ should come, he was 'suddenly to come to 
the Temple,' and that we should doubtless first 
see him there; but that he was greatly in hopes 
that the prophet we were going to see, would 
prove to be the forerunner, foretold by Malachi. 
Having a roll of the Prophet Daniel with me, for 
I took the prophets along to compare what I 
should hear the preacher of Jordan proclaim 
with them, I saw to my surprise, that not only 
the seventy weeks had about reached their com- 
pletion, but that the expiration of the 'thousand 
two hundred and ninety days' drew presently 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 8^ 

nigh! We were both surprised at this coinci- 
dence with the advent of this new prophet; and 
joy and fear trembled in our hearts, tempered 
with hopes we dared not utter. 

“ Those who have heard him,’ said Joseph, as 
we rode into the village of Bethany, 'say that he 
publicly proclaims himself the forerunner of the 
Messiah. The opinion of the more ignorant 
who have listened to him is, that it is Elijah him- 
self, risen to life! while others assert that it is 
Enoch, come down from heaven; and not a few 
believe him to be Isaiah.’ 

"In this manner, conversing, we crossed the 
hill of Bethany, where, tradition says, stood the 
Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and 
also, where rested the foot of Jacob’s ladder; and 
from which place, it is believed by many, all 
good men after the resurrection shall ascend into 
the third heaven ; for it is the common belief that 
the throne of Jehovah is directly above it. 

"At length, after a long day’s ride, during 
which we had overtaken and passed many large 
companies hurrying forward to hear the 
prophet, also meeting many returning, spreading 
wonderful accounts of his eloquence, wisdom 
and power, we came in sight of Jericho. The 
city is very stately, with its Roman towers and 
palaces, it being the favorite summer resort of 
the governors. Its situation, in a green valley, 
was refreshing to the eyes, after our dreary ride 
all day over the broken and barren hills. On 
our left, a mile before you come to the town, we 
passed the ruins of the tower and house of Kiel, 


40 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

who rebuilt Jericho in the days of the Kings. 
To the right was the field where the Chaldean 
army defeated our fathers in battle, and took 
King Zedekiah captive ; it was now covered with 
beautiful gardens, and smiled as if peace had 
ever dwelt in its sweet shades. On an emi- 
nence, to the north of us, about half a league off, 
Joseph, who had often travelled this way, made 
me take notice of the ruins of Ai, and of the hill 
of ambush, where lay the warriors of Joshua, 
who surprised and cut off the city. As we 
approached the city, I could not but recall the 
period when Israel’s hundred thousands, shod 
with the sandals they had worn forty years’ in the 
wilderness, marched seven times around it. In 
imagination I heard their martial tread shaking 
the very earth, and beheld the princely Joshua, 
standing aloof on an eminence near, directing 
the solemn march. I heard again the thunder 
of the trumpets of the hosts of God seven times 
sounded, and saw the proud wall of the city 
fall, darkening the whole heavens with the 
clouds of dust that rolled over the heads of awe- 
struck Israel. But how different was the reality! 
The setting sun was gilding the firmly standing 
towers, turrets, pinnacles and battlements of the 
Roman city, lending to it a splendor that moved 
the soul to admiration; and the blue sky bent 
serenely without a cloud above it; and the circl- 
ing vale, instead of echoing to the tread of an 
armed host, for whom Jehovah fought, was now 
filled with Roman knights and ladies on gay par- 
ties of pleasure, and processions of maidens 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


41 


moving to the cemetery of the tombs, clad in 
snow-white vestments, casting flowers in their 
path, and chanting sacred songs; for it was the 
day in which the daughters of Jericho celebrate 
the hapless fate of the lovely daughter of 
Jephtha, by visiting her sepulchre; for she was 
born and buried in this city, where Jephtha long 
dwelt. 

“At the gate we were stopped by a Roman 
soldier, who demanded our passports and the 
traveller’s tribute, which humiliating affair 
settled, we rode into the city; for it was our 
intention to pass the night there, and early in 
the morning walk to the banks of the Jordan, 
where we understood the prophet was teaching 
and baptizing.” 

At this point of the narrative of the cousin of 
Mary, dear father, I will close this letter. We 
had all listened with the deepest attention, not so 
much for the interest it contained in itself, as on 
account of the admirable manner in which he re- 
cited what he had seen; his face being calmly 
beautiful, his eyes soft and expressive, his voice 
musical, and his whole aspect the true and 
expressive manifestation of the intelligence, 
gentleness, amiability, and noble ardor of piety 
which belong to his whole character. In my 
next I will resume his narrative, dear father, for 
when I have given it to you wholly, I have many 
things to ask you to which it gives rise in my 
mind. May the blessing of the God of Israel be 
upon thee, my dear father! 


ADINA. 


LETTER IV. 


My Dear Father: — I have had the pleasure 
to-day, not only of hearing from you, but of 
being assured of your continued welfare. The 
messages of parental affection contained in your 
letter are cherished in my heart. The costly 
gifts of your generous love, sent by you with the 
letter, and which were safely delivered from your 
hand into mine, by your faithful servant Elec, 
will be worn by me with all a daughter’s pride. 
I regret to hear of the death of Rabbi Israel, 
while I rejoice that the high office he held with 
so much dignity has been bestowed upon you by 
the Pro-consul ; for though you may not need its 
emoluments, dear father, such selection is a flat- 
tering proof of the estimation in which you are 
held by the Roman Governor. 

You need not fear, my dear father, that I shall 
be carried away from the faith of Israel by any 
strange doctrines; I will take counsel by your 
wisdom, and be cautious how I adventure in my 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


43 


inquiries upon too sacred ground. I have freely 
written to you for your advice, and I trust that 
you will not look upon my inquiries as expres- 
sions of doubt, but as searchings after what is 
true. I know you are read in the law above all 
Jews, and that any difficulties I may meet with 
in observing things here in Jerusalem, especially 
in the worship and ceremonies of the Temple, 
you will remove for me. 

In my last letter, which will not reach your 
hands for some days yet, I commenced giving 
you the narrative of John, the cousin of Mary, 
who went down into the wilderness to see and 
hear the prophet of Jordan. I will not take it 
upon myself to decide or form an opinion upon 
anything yet, dear father, but state facts, and let 
your wisdom instruct me into the truths that 
may grow out of them. One thing which your 
letter states gratifies me, and gives me confi- 
dence; it is these words: '‘Do not fear that the 
integrity of the laws of Moses, or of the worship 
of the Temple, or the predictions of the Proph- 
ets, can be moved by any investigations that man 
can make into them. They are founded in truth, 
and will abide forever. The worship of Israel 
fears nothing from inquiry. But while you ask 
and question about sacred things, remember that 
they belong to God, and must be inquired into 
with awful reverence and profound humility. 
Any inquiries made into the prophecies with an 
eye to search out their day of fulfilment, are 
proper and useful; and as this day seems to be 
that of fulfilment rather than that of prediction. 


44 


THE TKINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


your studies may be suggested and directed by 
heavenly wisdom, and, if so, they will be guided 
to their true issue. As I am so far removed from 
you, I cannot judge concerning this prophet 
your first letter named as being in the wilder- 
ness; yet I should not be surprised if the fullness 
of time indicated by Isaiah were near at hand, for 
the events you enumerated seem to proclaim its 
approach, such as the lax worship in the Temple; 
the worship of the Roman idols on Mount Zion; 
the profanation of the altar; and the rule of the 
heathen over the empire of David. Let us fer- 
vently pray, my child, for the fulfilment of the 
prophecies, which promise Messiah to our 
stricken people! Let us supplicate for the rising 
of the Star of Jacob, the Prince of Peace, who 
shall erect his throne on Mount Zion, and whose 
sceptre shall be a sceptre of righteousness; under 
whose wide dominion Israel shall lift up her 
head and rule the nations. My daily prayer, 
with my face towards Jerusalem, is, that I may 
live to behold the hope of Israel, and with my 
eyes see the splendor of the glory of Shiloh.'’ 

These words of yours, my dear father, give 
me courage. I believe, with you, that the day of 
fulfilment of the Prophets is dawming; and per- 
haps is nearer than we bdieve. When I have 
’completed the history of John's journey to Jor- 
dan to hear the prophet, you will understand why 
I speak with such hopeful confidence; and you 
will agree with me that this preacher of repent- 
ance is not one of the class of false prophets, 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


45 


against whose chimeras your letter so properly 
cautions me. 

“We arose at dawn/’ said Mary’s cousin, in 
continuation of his interesting narrative, “and, 
leaving the inn, we took our way out of the city 
by the eastern gate, which we easily found, inas- 
much as a quarter of the city was in motion, and 
moving in the same direction. Here we were 
detained by the Gentile guards for full half-an- 
hour, till the multitude had become so immense 
as to tread one upon another, and fill the whole 
street. Nevertheless, we had to wait till the 
indolent Captain of the Gate chose to be dis- 
turbed in his morning repose, and then bathe his 
dainty limbs, and then break his fast, all which 
he did very deliberately, before he would suffer 
the gate to be opened! Such slaves are we 
to such masters I Oh, when shall arrive the day 
when, as saith Isaiah, 'our gates shall be opened 
continually; they shall not be shut day nor night, 
that men may bring unto thee the forces of the 
Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought 
captives to our feet.’ 

“Having passed out of the gate, my friend of 
Aramathea and myself separated a little from the 
crowd, and crossed the plain towards Jordan, 
which was'about a mile and a half off. The morn- 
ing was balmy; the sun made all nature glad. 
The dew reflected a myriad lesser suns, and the 
earth appeared strewn with diamonds. For a 
little way the road lay between fields of corn and 
gardens; but soon it crossed the open plain, on 
which were droves of wild asses, which lifted 


46 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


their small, spirited heads on our approach, eyed 
us with timid curiosity, and then bounded off to 
the wilderness southward with the speed of ante- 
lopes. As the great body of the people took 
their way obliquely across the plain, we knew the 
prophet must be in that direction, as it proved; 
for we at length found him on the banks of the 
Jordan, full half a league below the landing and 
ford, which is opposite Jericho, on the great car- 
avan road to Balbec and Assyria, that long and 
weary road so often travelled by our forefathers 
when they have been led into captivity — the road 
which so many kings have watered with their 
tears! We gazed upon it with emotion of sad- 
ness, and with tearful prayers that Jehovah 
would return and visit once more the remnant of 
his people, and not be angry with us forever! 
Alter we had approached the Jordan some dis- 
tance above the ford, we beheld the multitude 
listening to the prophet far to the south of us, on 
the edge of the desert, which approaches in this 
quarter very near Jericho. As we traversed the 
banks of the flowing stream, we came all at once 
upon a pillar of stones partly in the water. 
‘This,’ said my companion, stopping, ‘is the 
Mount of Twelve Stones, which Israel set up to 
commemorate the passage of Jordan. Here 
they crossed on dry ground.’ 

“I counted them, and found but nine of them 
remaining. What vicissitudes, I reflected, had 
not Israel passed through since the hands of our 
fathers placed that heap together! Generations 
of judges and long lines of kings; captivities sue- 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. 


47 


ceeding captivities; wars, conquests and defeats, 
and subjection, finally, till we are no longer a 
people; having a king, indeed, but whose sceptre 
is a mockery — a Herod, holding his crown at the 
courtesy of the Imperial Monarch of Rome. 
Alas, with the end of the reign of such a king, 
the sceptre will forever depart from Judah!” he 
added, bitterly. 

'‘Then will Shiloh come!” exclaimed my 
cousin Mary, with animation. 

“Yes; Judah must be abased to the lowest 
step, before she can rise, and with Shiloh king, 
her glory will fill the whole earth,” responded 
John, with hope once more beaming in his eyes. 
“At length we drew near the dark mass of 
human beings which we had beheld afar off, as- 
sembled around a small eminence near the river. 
Upon it, raised a few cubits taller than their 
heads, stood a man, upon whom all eyes were 
fixed, and to whose words every ear was atten- 
tive. His clear, rich, earnest tones, had reached 
us as we approached, before we could distinguish 
what he said. He was a young man not above 
thirty, with a countenance such as the medallions 
of Egypt give to Joseph of our nation, once their 
Prince. His hair was long, and wildly free about 
his neck; he wore a loose sack of camel’s hair, 
and his right arm was naked to the shoulder. 
His attitude was as free and commanding as that 
of a Caucasian warrior, yet every gesture was 
gentle and graceful. With all his ringing and 
persuasive eloquence there was an air of the 
deepest humility on his countenance, combined 


48 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

with an expression of the holiest enthusiasm. 
The people listened eagerly to him, for he spake 
like the Prophets of old, and chiefly in their 
prophetic words ! His theme was the Messiah : 

‘‘ 'Oh, Israel, return unto the Lord thy God, 
for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity,’ he was 
saying, as we came up, as if in continuation of 
what had come before, 'Take with you words, 
and turn unto the Lord, and say unto Him: 
Take away all iniquity and receive us graciously. 
Behold, He cometh who will heal your backslid- 
ing, and will love you freely! He will be as the 
dew unto Israeli He shall grow as the lily, and 
cast forth his roots as Lebanon! His branches 
shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive 
tree, and his fruit shall be for the healing of the 
nations ! They that dwell under his shadow shall 
return and dwell evermore; and it shall come to 
pass that whosoever shall call on the name of 
the Lord shall be delivered, for besides him there 
is no Savior.’ 

" 'Of whom speaketh the prophet these 
things?’ asked one who stood near me, of his 
neighbor, and then of me, for by this time we 
had taken places as close to the prophet as we 
were able; for I did not wish to lose one word 
that should fall from the lips of a man who could 
thus empty cities, and people the wilderness with 
their inhabitants. 

" 'Of Messiah — listen!’ answered him, a Scribe 
near, as if not pleased to have his atten- 
tion interrupted by his side talk. 'His words are 
plain. Hear him.’ 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


49 


^Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, for the day of 
the Lord cometh!’ continued the prophet, in a 
voice like that of a silver trumpet; 'for, behold, 
the day is at hand when I will bring again the 
captivity of Judah. Put ye in the sickle, for the 
harvest is ripe! The day is at hand when the 
Lord shall roar out of Zion and utter his voice 
from Jerusalem.^ 

'Art thou not Elias?’ asked one, aloud. 

" T am he of whom it is written, the voice of 
one crying in the wilderness, make straight a 
highway for our God. The day of the Lord is at 
hand. I am but the herald who is sent before 
to prepare the way of the Lord!’ 

" 'Art thou not the Messiah?’ asked a woman, 
who stood near him, and seemed to worship his 
very lips. 

" 'He who cometh after me is mightier than I, 
whose shoes I am not worthy to bear!’ he re- 
sponded, in the deepest humiliation of manner. 
'He who cometh after me hath his fan in his 
hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor and 
gather the wheat into the garner; but will burn 
up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Therefore, 
repent ye, repent ye, take words and return unto 
the Lord your God. Repent and be baptized 
for the remission of your sins; for the day 
cometh which shall burn as an oven, and take 
heed that ye be not consumed! The axe is laid 
at the root of the tree; therefore, every tree that 
bringeth not forth good fruit shall be hewn 
down and cast into the fire.’ 

" 'Master,’ said a Levite, 'dost thou speak 


50 


THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


these things to us, who are of Israel, or to these 
Gentiles and Samaritans?’ for there were not a 
few Roman soldiers among the multitude, drawn 
hither by curiosity, and also many people from 
Samaria, nay, even from Damascus. 

‘Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saitli 
the Lord, for my people hath committed two 
evils; they have forsaken me, the fountain of liv- 
ing waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken 
cisterns, that can hold no water. The Lord hath 
made me this day an iron pillar and brazen wall 
against the whole land — against the kings of 
Judah, against the princes thereof, against the 
priests thereof, and against the people of the 
land! and yet thou sayest, O Israel, thou hast not 
sinned. Thine own wickedness shall correct 
thee, and thy backsliding shall reprove thee. 
Repent and do works meet for repentance, every 
one of you, for ye have polluted the land; neither 
say, where is the Lord that brought us up out 
of the land of Egypt? I am provoked to anger 
every day by your hardness of heart and stiff- 
neckedness. Amend, amend your doings! 
Trust not in lying words, saying. The Temple 
of the Lord, The Temple of the Lord, The 
Temple of the Lord! Ye have made it a den of 
robbers! Your sacrifices therein are become an 
abomination to the Lord!’ 

“ ‘This would touch us who are priests, mas- 
ters,’ said a priest, with a crimson brow. ‘We 
are not robbers!’ 

“ ‘Thus saith the Lord,’ answered the youthful 
prophet, as if it were God himself, speaking from 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


51 


Horeb, so that we trembled as we heard him: 
‘Woe be unto the pastors that destroy my sheep; 
I will visit upon you the evil of your doings. 
How is the gold become dim — how is the most 
fine gold changed! The precious sons of Zion, 
comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed? 
Her priests were purer than snow! they were 
whiter than milk; they were more ruddy in body 
than rubies; their polishing was of sapphire! 
Their visage is blacker than coal; they feed the 
children of my people with ashes for bread! 
Woe to Zion, for the sins of her prophets and the 
iniquities of her priests. Run ye to and fro 
through the streets of Jerusalem, and seek in the 
broad places thereof, saith the Lord, if you can 
find a man that executeth judgment, that seek- 
elh truth! Though they say the Lord liveth, 
surely they swear falsely. Hear ye this, O 
priests, and harken, ye house of Israel! Woe 
unto you, ye priests, for ye have transgressed! 
I have seen in the prophets of Jerusalem a hor- 
lible thing; they commit adultery and walk in 
lies, saith the Lord. My people have trans- 
gressed, for the lack of knowledge! Therefore, I 
will reject thee, saith the Lord; thou shalt be no 
priests to me since thou hast forgotten the law of 
thy God. Like people, like priests! Therefore 
doth the land mourn, and every one that dwell- 
eth therein languisheth. Therefore do swearing 
and lying, and killing and stealing, and commit- 
ting adultery, break out in the land, because 
there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of 
God in the land. Woe unto you, ye priests!’ 


52 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

Many of the Levites then turned and left him, 
and went away greatly murmuring; and they 
would gladly have done the prophet a mischief, 
but they feared the multitude, who said he had 
spoken only the truth of them. ‘But the elders 
of Israel, who are not priests, and who spring 
from Abraham, shall be saved by Abraham, 
master?’ asserted, or rather inquired, a rich ruler 
of our city, after the tumult caused by the with- 
drawal of the Levites had a little subsided. The' 
youthful prophet rested his dark eyes, like two 
suns, upon the old man’s face, and said impres- 
sively, ‘Begin not to say within yourself, we have 
Abraham to our father, for I say unto you,’ he 
added, pointing to the pebbles at his feet, ‘that 
God is able of these stones to raise up children 
unto Abraham. He is of Abraham who doth 
righteousness; therefore repent, and bring forth 
fruits meet for repentance.’ ” 

Here was heard some murmuring among a 
group of many Pharisees and Sadducees at these 
words, when, sending his lightning glance to- 
wards them, as if he could read their very hearts, 
he cried: 

'' ‘O generation of vipers! Who hath warned 
you to flee from the wrath to come? The day 
cometh when he who is to come shall sit as a 
purifier by his furnace. Bring forth, therefore, 
fruits meet for repentance. Wash thy heart 
from wickedness, that thou mayst be saved. 
And ye, daughters of Judah, repent you of the 
vain thoughts that lodge within you,’ cried he, 
addressing many females in rich apparel and 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


53 


plaited hair, 'gird ye with sackcloth, lament and 
howl; put away these abominations out of my 
sight, and fear the Lord. Though thou clothest 
thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thyself 
with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy 
face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thy- 
self fair; for I hear the voice of the daughters of 
Zion bewailing themselves, spreading forth their 
hands in the day when they are spoiled and de- 
spised for their iniquities. Repent ye, for the 
kingdom of heaven is at hand ! 

" 'Hear, O Israel! Am I a God at hand and 
not a God afar off, saith the Lord. Hear ye the 
message of the Most High, for the day hath 
come when Jehovah shall once more visit the 
earth and talk face to face with his creatures. 
Behold the day hath come, saith the Lord, that 
I will raise unto David a righteous branch, and 
a king to reign and prosper, who shall execute 
judgment and justice on the earth. 

" ‘Behold the day hath come, saith the Lord, 
in which Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall 
dwell safely, when I will set up shepherds over 
them, who shall feed them, and they shall lack 
nothing! 

" 'Arise! shine, for the light is come! Hear, O 
Israel, for Zion’s sake I will not hold my peace; 
I will not rest until the righteousness thereof go 
forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as 
a lamp that burneth. Arise, shine, for thy light 
is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon 
thee! Darkness covereth the earth, and gross 
darkness the people, as saith Esaias; but the 


54 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

Lord shall rise upon thee, and his glory shall be 
seen upon thee. The Gentiles shall come to his 
light, and kings to the brightness of his rising. 
He shall be called The Lord Our Righteousness, 
and shall be a crown of glory in the hand of the 
Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy 
God. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me to 
proclaim the acceptable year of his coming. He 
hath set me a watchman upon thy walls, O 
Israel, and I may neither hold my peace day nor 
night, nor keep silence, nor seek rest, till he 
come, who hath sent me forth his messenger be- 
fore his face. How can I refrain from my mes- 
sage of joy? How shall I not speak of his fame? 
His sons shall come from afar, and his daughters 
shall be nursed at his side. The people of the 
nations shall fly as a cloud, and as doves to their 
windows, to behold, fall down, and adore him. 
The isles shall wait for his law, and kings shall 
minister unto him, even unto the Holy One of 
Israel. Saith he, I, the Lord, am thy Savior 
and thy Redeemer, the mighty one of Jacob. Say 
ye to the daughters of Zion, Behold thy salvation 
cometh ; behold, his reward is with him, and his 
work before him. Ho, every one that thirsteth J 
he now cried, raising his voice like the chief of a 
host, till the farthest heard, 'come ye to the 
waters; yea, come buy wine and milk, without 
money and without price. Incline your 
ear and come unto him. Hear, and your 
soul shall live. Repent, keep justice and 
judgment: and prepare a contrite heart to 
offer to him when thou shalt behold him; 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


65 


for thus saith the High and Lofty One that in- 
habiteth eternity, whose name is Holy, I dwell 
in the high and holy place with him, also, that is 
of a contrite and humble spirit. Peace, peace 
to him that is afar off, and to him that is near, 
saith the Lord. 

'' 'Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his 
praise from the ends of the earth: for thus saith 
God the Lord, he that created the heavens and 
stretched them out; he that spread forth the 
earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that 
giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit 
to them that walk therein: Behold my servant 
whom I uphold — mine elect in whom my soul 
delighteth: I have put my spirit upon him; he 
shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles; a 
bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking 
flax shall he not quench. I, the Lord, saith 
Jehovah, addressing the only begotten, I have 
called thee in righteousness, and will hold thy 
hand and keep thee, and will give thee for a 
covenant of the people, for a light of the Gen- 
tiles, to open the blind eyes, to bring out the 
prisoners from the prison. I am the Lord, that 
is my name, and my glory will I not give to an- 
other; yet have I made him my first-born, higher 
than the kings of the earth. Look unto him, and 
be saved, all the ends of the earth ; for unto him 
every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. 
Our Redeemer, the Lord of Hosts is his name, 
the Holy one of Israel!’ 

‘'All this was spoken with an enthusiasm and 
fire that made every pulse bound. 


56 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

''Such,” said John, "was the extraordinary 
style of this mighty prophet’s preaching, and to 
those who read the books of the Prophets, every 
word shone with the brightness of the sun. I 
fancied I had only to look around to behold the 
Messiah! The immense multitude stood awed 
and silent when he had ceased. I gazed upon 
him with the most adoring reverence. My 
heart filled with holy joy; for I believed and 
knew that God had remembered Zion, and was 
about to display his wonders more remarkably 
on earth than ever had been witnessed before. 
Leaving the eminence, he said, and I thought he 
fixed his eyes on me, 'Ye who desire to be bap- 
tized for the remission of sins, that your hearts 
may be cleansed for the visitation of this Holy 
One of God, follow me to the river side! 
Thousands obeyed, and I one of the first. I 
trembled all over with a sweet pleasure, when he 
took me by the hand, and asked me if I believed 
in Him who was to come, and would prepare 
the way for His abode in my heart by being 
baptized, which rite also was to be a sign and 
pledge that when I should behold the Shiloh 
rising, I should acknowledge Him. Not less 
than one thousand were baptized by him that 
day in Jordan, confessing their sins, and hopes 
of pardon through the name of the unknown 
One, who was soon to come. Among these 
were Pharisees and Sadducees, rulers and law- 
yers, and one grey-headed Roman soldier. 
Joseph of Arimathea was not baptized, as he said 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 67 

he wished to examine into the extraordinary 
subject fully before he could believe. 

‘'After the baptism, the whole company dis- 
persed in groups, and the prophet returned into 
the wilderness till the cool of the evening, where 
his repast was the wild honey of the desert, and 
the locust-berry of the ravines. When he reap- 
peared, he again spoke to an increased multi- 
tude. In this second sermon, he explained more 
clearly the application of the glittering chain of 
prophecies he had given utterance to in the 
morning to Messias, and thus enabled me to see 
more clearly the true character of the expected 
Messias than I had before done.’^ 

With this remark of his, dear father, I close 
my long letter. I make no comments. I will 
only say, that my expectations are actively 
awake, and that I am looking, with thousands of 
others, for the near advent of the Messiah. 
Your daughter, 


ADINA. 


LETTER V. 


My Dear Father: — Although but three days 
have elapsed since I completed my last letter to 
you, I am so solicitous to have your judgment 
and counsel upon the remarkable events now 
occupying the public mind of Israel, that I can- 
not withhold giving you the further relation of 
the remaining circumstances connected with the 
visit of Mary’s cousin, John, to the divine 
prophet of Jordan. Inasmuch as his words have 
made a deep impression upon my mind, and 
moved me to believe with him in the truth of 
this prophet’s words, it is proper that you should 
know with me all that he has told me, and which 
have influenced my feelings and opinions, in 
order that you may judge of the weight and value 
at which all I have heard is to be estimated; and 
be assured, dear father, that I am ready to be 
governed in all things by your wisdom and 
learning. Listen, then, with your usual good- 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


59 


ness, to the residue of this young man’s narra- 
tion. 

'‘After the prophet had ended his second dis- 
course, and baptized two hundred more in the 
sparkling waters of Jordan,” resumed the elo- 
quent cousin of Mary, “he sent them away to the 
city to lodge and buy meat; for few, in their 
eagerness to hear him, had brought provisions 
with them. Many, before leaving him, drew 
near to receive his blessing of love, and it was 
touching to see venerable men, with locks shin- 
ing like silver, and leaning upon a staff, bend 
their aged heads before the youthful Elias, as if 
in acknowledgment of his divine commission. 
Mothers also brought their infants, that he 
might bless them; and youth and maidens knelt 
reverently at his feet in tears of love and peni- 
tence. Calmly he stood upon the green shores, 
like an angel alighted upon earth, and blessed 
them in words all new to our ears, but which 
thrilled to our hearts with some secret power 
that agitated us with trembling joy. 

“ 'In the name of the Lamb of God, I bless 
thee!’ 

“What can be the meaning of these words ?’^ 
asked Mary, with her gentle earnestness. Her 
betrothed could only reply, that he knew not. 

“At length, one after another, the multitude 
departed, save a few who encamped beneath 
trees on the banks of the river. Joseph of Ari- 
mathea and I were left almost alone, standing 
near the prophet, and regarding him with rever- 
ential curiosity. The sun was just disappearing 


€0 


THE riHNCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


over the distant towers of Jericho, and painting 
with the richest purple the hills between the 
river and Jerusalem. Jordan, catching its red- 
dening radiance, rolled past like a river of liquid 
gold embanked in emerald. The brow of the 
prophet, lighted up by a sun-ray that shone be- 
tween the branches of a pomegranate tree, 
seemed like the face of Moses when he came 
down from Sinai, a glory of light. He appeared 
rapt in heavenly meditation, and we stood silent 
and gazed upon him, not daring to speak. At 
length he turned towards us, smiled, and salut- 
ing us, grasped the crook or staff on which he 
had been leaning, for he was weary and pale 
with his labors of the day, and slowly walked 
down the shore in the direction of the wilder- 
ness. He had not advanced many steps when I 
felt an irresistible impulse to follow him. I 
burned to talk with him — to sit at his feet, and 
ask him questions about the great things I had 
heard him utter in both of his discourses! I 
wished him to explain and unfold what had 
seemed mysterious, and yet teeming with mighty 
revelations. I panted for light — for knowledge. 

I yearned to have him open the Scriptures to me, 
and give me that illuminated understanding of^ 
them which he possessed. I therefore said to my 
companion: 

Xet us follow him, and learn more of these 
great things, which we have this day heard. ^ 
^^Joseph, like myself, being anxious to hold 
converse with him, at once assented, and we pro- 
ceeded slowly after him, as he, moved in a con- 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


61 


templative mood along the desert path. The 
sun had already gone down, and the full moon 
rose on the opposite shore, and the prophet 
stopped as if to gaze upon its autumnal beauty. 
We drew near to him. He beheld us, but did 
not avoid us; seeing which I advanced with timid 
confidence, and said: 

‘Holy prophet of the Most High God, wilt 
thou permit two young men of Israel to speak to 
thee, for our hearts yearn towards thee with 
love?’ 

“ ‘And we would fain keep thee company in 
the desert. Rabbi,’ added Joseph, ‘for it does not 
seem well for thee to dwell thus alone.’ 

“ ‘But chiefly,’ said I, ‘we would inquire of thee 
touching the advent of the Mighty Personage 
whose near coming thou dost foretell.’ 

“ ‘Friends,’ said the prophet, in a calm and 
serene manner, ‘I am a dweller in the desert, and 
alone, from choice. I approach men only to pro- 
claim my message. The delights of earth are 
not for me. My mission is one. Its duration is 
short. Its aim worthy the greatest prophet of 
God, yet am I the least of them, not worthy to 
be called a prophet; and before the splendor of 
Him whom I announce to the world, I am the 
dust of the balance. If thou hast sought me to 
search after knowledge, come and sit down with 
me upon this rock, and let me hear what thou 
hast to say, that I may answer thee and go my 
way.' 

“This was said softly, gently, almost sadly, and 
in a tone that made me love him more and more. 


62 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

I could have cast myself upon his bosom and 
wept there; for I was deeply touched that one 
should be chosen by Jehovah to become his 
prophet to earth, and yet show such lowliness of 
heart and sincere humility. We seated our- 
selves, one on either side of him, for he refused 
to permit us to place ourselves upon the ground 
at his feet, saying reproachfully, as he did to 
those whom he had seen kneel to him, 'I also am 
a man!’ The scene and the hour were well fitted 
for such a converse as we were about to hold. 
The broad disc of the moon poured a flood of 
orange-tinted radiance full upon us, and lent a 
hallowed softness to the divine countenance of 
the youthful prophet. The Jordan, dark as 
India’s dye, darted swiftly past at our feet, be- 
tween its deeply-shaded banks, sending up to our 
ears the faintest murmur of its pebbly passage. 
Above our heads swelled the vaulted arch of the 
Temple of Jehovah, with its myriad of altar fires. 
To our left lay Jericho, just visible, looking like 
a black mass of castellated rock, unilluminated 
save by a single watch-fire which burned upon 
its loftiest tower. Behind us stretched the des- 
ert waste, cheerless and yet grand, in its desolate 
distances. Afar off rose upon the air, and was 
borne to us at intervals, the voice of a singer in 
one of the camps; and near us, upon an acacia 
tree, sat a solitary bulbul, which ceaselessly sang 
its sweet and varied hymn to the listening moon. 

'' 'All things praise God — shall we be silent?’ 
said the prophet. 'Let us sing the evening 
hymn of the Temple.’ He then commenced, in 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


63 


a rich, melodious chant, such as I had never 
heard from the priests, our sacred psalm to the 
whole creation of God. We joined our voices 
with his, and the tide of praise floated over the 
waters, and echoed and re-echoed from the op- 
posing shores, as if the banks and stream, trees, 
hills and sky, had found voice as well as we: 

*Praise ! praise ! praise ye the Lord ! 

Praise Him in the heights ! Praise Him in the seas ! 

Praise Him men of Israel ! Praise ye the Lord ! 

For He exalteth high His people, 

And reigneth evermore ! 

Praise Him all ye angels ! Praise Him all ye hosts ! 

Praise Him sun and moon, and all ye stars of light ! 

Praise Him fire and hail ! Praise Him storm and snows ! 

For He judgeth the earth in righteousness. 

And reigneth evermore ! 

Praise ! praise ! praise ye the Lord ! 

Praise Him winged fowl, and herds, cattle and all beasts ! 

Praise Him kings and people, princes, priests, and judges ! 

Praise Him youths and maidens, old men and you»g children ! 

Praise the name, let them praise the name. 

Praise the name of the Lord God of Hosts ! 

For His name alone is excellent. 

His glory above the heavens : 

Israel is His first born — a people well-beloved ! 

Praise ! let Israel, therefore, praise Him ! 

Praise Him evermore. 

Evermore, 

Ever, evermore . 


64 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

''Never shall I forget the effect produced upon 
my inmost being by this hymn, sung at such a 
time, and in such a place, and in such a company. 
The prophet sang as if he was leading a choir of 
angels. My heart leaped at the chorus, as if it 
would break out, take wing, and leave the earth ! 
When we called on the winds and the fowls of 
the air to praise Jehovah with us, it may be 
fancy, but the thrilling voice of the bulbul 
seemed to pour from its throat a wilder, richer, 
more joyous tide of song, and the audible wind 
bent the adoring trees, and mingled its mystic 
whispers with the psalm of men! Surely, 
thought I, it is good for me to be here, for this is 
none other than the gate of Paradise! 

"After a few moments’ silence, the prophet 
spoke and said: 

" 'You sought me, brethren of Israel, can I do 
aught for you?’ 

" 'We would hear more, great prophet, touch- 
ing this mighty man, if man he may be termed, 
who is to come after thee,’ said Joseph. 

"I can tell thee but little, my brethren, save 
what thou hast heard from me this day. The 
future is veiled. I bear a message, indeed, but I 
may not break the seal and read. I am but the 
courier of God to man. To you it will be given 
to know what is now unknown to me. Happy, 
thrice happy are ye who will behold face to face 
the Divine One whom I can only behold afar off. 
If it be permitted me to see him, it will be but for 
a brief space, for when he cometh I depart, my 
errand is done. Blessed are those who live to 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


65 


witness his glory, and to hear the gracious voice 
of God that proceeds from his annointed lips.' 

“ ‘When will be his advent, and with what 
form and power cometh this Divine Being?' I 
asked. 

“ ‘As a man, but not with comeliness of form 
that men should desire him. His appearance 
will be humble, lowly, and meek.' 

“ ‘Yet, you say to-day. Rabbi,' I continued, 
‘that his power should be infinite, and that of his 
kingdom there should be no end. You spoke of 
the glory of his dominions, and the humiliation 
of Gentile kings beneath his sceptre.' 

“ ‘This I cannot explain — it is a mystery to 
me! I speak as God, by whom I am sent, gives 
me utterance. I know that He who cometh after 
me is greater than I, the latchet of whose shoes 
I am not worthy to unloose!' 

“ ‘You taught us this evening that he would be 
the Lord from Heaven; and yet that Esaias saith 
he will be despised and rejected of men, wounded 
for our transgressions, and bruised for our ini- 
quities!' 

“ ‘The spirit of God teaches me that these 
words apply to Shiloh ; but I cannot comprehend 
how these things can be,' he answered, with deep 
sadness. 

“ ‘May I remind you, good Rabbi,' said 
Joseph, ‘that you taught us how that this Divine 
Personage should die, though Lord of Life, and 
be numbered in his death with transgressors, 
though the Holy One of Godf 

“ ‘And such will be the events that are 


66 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


ordained to happen; but seek not to know what 
no man hath had revealed to him. The Divine 
Messiah himself must be his own interpreter. 
Blessed will be the eyes that behold Him, and 
listen to the wisdom of His mouth, and keep the 
law of His lips!' 

‘May I ask you, holy prophet of the Lord,' 
said Joseph, ‘how is it that He whom you are 
sent by God to bear witness to can be the Deliv- 
erer of Israel, when you predict for him so sad a 
fate? Messiah is to restore Jerusalem, and the 
glory of the Temple, and the splendor of its wor- 
ship, so saith Esaias, so say Ezra and Jeremiah. 
He is called a Mighty Prince, a King, the 
Redeemer of Israel, who shall rule the nations 
and have dominion from sea to sea, and from the 
river to the ends of the earth! We, therefore, in 
the Messiah of the Prophets, have looked for a 
powerful potentate, who shall reign in Jerusalem 
over the whole earth, and subdue all nations, 
bringing their kings captive at his foot-stool, and 
binding their princes with chains; before whom 
every knee shall do homage — a Monarch who 
shall not leave a heathen sandal to tread on the 
sacred soil of Judea, and who shall establish the 
worship of Jehovah in every place where now 
rises a temple of idolatry.' 

“ ‘His kingdom is not of this earth,' answered 
the prophet, impressively. 

“ ‘How, then, can we interpret the Prophet 
David, who maketh the Lord to say: I have set 
my King upon my holy hill of Zion. Also, how 
shall we interpret those sayings of Esaias, who, 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


67 


prophesying of the blessed Christ of God, hath 
these words: 

‘Of the increase of his government and peace 
there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, 
and upon his kingdom, to order it and to estab- 
lish it with judgment and with justice, from 
henceforth, even forever?' 

“ ‘I know not. 1 hese secrets are with God. 
I can reveal nothing. I am but the trumpet 
through which Jehovah speaks; I know not the 
words 1 utter. This I know, that the least child 
and lowliest hireling that liveth in the day of 
Messias is greater than I. I am the last of the 
prophets. I stand on the threshhold of that 
glorious kingdom, the greatness and brightness 
of which they saw afar off, like some heavenly, 
indistinct vision. Nearer than they, I am per- 
mitted to catch clearer glimpses of its glory, and 
it may be vouchsafed to me to see more than 1 
now see ; but of this I have no certain revelation. 
It is for me to open the last door that leads out 
from the night of prophecy into the glorious 
dawn of the day of fulfilment; but I am not per- 
mitted to enter beyond the threshhold, or share 
in its blessings. All who come after me will be 
preferred before me. But the will of Jehovah be 
obeyed! I am his creature, and to murmur be- 
comes not dust. Rather let me rejoice that the 
day-star is about to rise, though his beams shine 
on all the earth but me!' This was said with the 
most touching pathos. 

“We were both deeply moved, I, myself, even 
to tears, at hearing these words spoken by him. 


68 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


My heart yearned towards him with the most 
sacred sympathy. I sank on my knees, and kiss- 
ing his hand, bathed it with my tears. 

He gently raised me, and said in a sweet voice: 

'Brother beloved, thou shalt see Him to 
whom I bear witness, and he will love thee, and 
thou shalt repose in his bosom!’ At this say- 
ing,” continued the cousin of Mary, whose voice 
was tremulous with lively sensibility as he spoke 
hereof, "I burst into tears; and, rising, I walked 
a little ways apart, and lifting up my eyes 
towards heaven, I prayed the God of our fathers 
that I might be found worthy of this blessed 
honor.” 

" 'And shall I also behold this mighty Son of 
God.^’ asked Joseph, with solicitude. 

"The prophet took his hand in his, and fixing 
upon him his eyes of prophetic brightness, said 
slowly, and in tones awe-inspiring and painfully 
sorrowful : 

" 'Thou shalt one day bear him in thy arms, 
and lay him upon a couch, which thou hast pre- 
X)ared for thine own repose. Thou knowest not 
now what I say, but thou shalt remember it when 
it cometh to pass!’ 

"When he had thus spoken, he rose, and wav- 
ing his hand to us both, he walked rapidly away 
towards the desert, and was soon lost to the eye 
in the obscurity of the darkness which hung over 
it. 

" ' Didst thou hear him?’ at length, after some 
minute’s pause, asked Joseph of me. 'What can 
liis words mean? they are prophetic of some 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. Gd 

fearful event. His eyes betrayed some terrible 
meaning. My heart is troubled.' 

'' ^And mine rejoiceth/ I answered. We shall 
see Him! I shall be near Him! Oh, if he be 
like this sweet prophet of God, I shall love him 
with all my soul's being. How wonderful that 
we are to be thus associated with this Divine 
Person! Welcome the hour of his blessed 
advent !' 

'' Wilt thou welcome the advent of a sufferer?^ 
said a voice so near that it startled us by its 
abruptness; and, looking round, we saw, stand- 
ing within the shadow of a wild olive tree, a 
young man who was a stranger, but to whom I 
afterwards became deeply attached. His face 
was pale and intellectual, and his form slight, but 
of the most symmetrical elegance. His question 
at once made me sorrowful, for it recalled the sad 
prophecies of Esaias. 

^He is also to be King and Monarch of the 
world, and infinitely holy and good,' I said. ‘If 
thou hast been near, thou hast heard the glorious 
things the prophet has spoken of Him.' 

“ ‘I have been near — I was reclining beneath 
this tree, when you seated yourselves there. Be 
not deceived. The divine man who is to come 
is to be a man of sorrows and acquainted with 
grief. He is to be rejected by Israel, and 
despised by Judah. Those whom he comes to 
bless will despise him for his lowliness and 
obscurity. His life will be a life of tears, and 
toil, and heaviness of heart, and he will at last be 
cut off from among the living, with the ignominy 


70 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


due only to a transgressor. Dost thou welcome 
the advent of a sufferer?' 

'‘'But how knowest thou this? Art thou a 
prophet?' I asked, with surprise and admiration. 

" 'No, brother, but I have read the Prophets. 
I heard, moreover, the words of this holy man, 
sent from God, and he dwells more on the 
humility of Christ than on his kingly grandeur. 
Believe me, the kingdom of Shiloh is not of this 
world. It cannot be of this world, if such is to 
be his life and death ; and that it is to be his life, 
Esaias clearly states. Let me read to you his 
words.' He then took a roll of parchment from 
his bosom, and read by moonlight that myste- 
rious and inexplicable passage, which beginneth 
with the words: 'Who hath believed our 
report?' When he had ended, and perceived the 
assenting impression he had made upon our 
minds, he resumed: 'This is not the history of a 
prosperous earthly monarch, but rather the pain- 
ful record of a life of humiliation, of shame, and 
of contempt.' 

" 'But, thou dost not say, brother,' said 
Joseph, with some warmth, ‘that the sacred 
person borne witness to by this prophet is to be 
an object of contempt?' 

“ 'Does not Esaias say that he will be despised, 
beaten with stripes, rejected of men, imprisoned, 
and put to death as a transgressor of the law?' 

" 'There can be no question but that Esaias 
speaks of the Messiah,' I remarked. 

" 'This prophet of Jordan now bears full testi- 
mony to Esaias, and plainly maketh application 


THE rilINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


71 


of his words to Him whom he has come before- 
hand to proclaim/ answered the young man, 
with singularly graceful eloquence in all he said. 
'Let us, who have been baptized this day for the 
remission of our sins, expect a Messiah of sor- 
rows, not a conquering prince. Let us behold 
one who is to humble himself beneath the yoke 
of human infirmities, that he may be exalted, and 
draw all men after him to a kingdom in the 
heavens.^ 

"'But, the throne of David,’ — objected. 
Joseph — 

" 'Is at the right hand of God.’ 

" 'But Jerusalem, and its rule over the 
nations — ’ 

" 'Jerusalem that is above, is above all.’ 

" ‘But his kingdom that is to be everlasting — ’’ 

" ‘Is where life is everlasting. How can he 
rule an everlasting realm here on earth, without 
living forever, and his subjects also? Read not 
the prophets so. As Adam fell and lost Para- 
dise, so Messias, like a second Adam, must, as 
man, humble himself in human nature, to atone 
for our guilt; and having made full atonement for 
us by his life and his death, he will purchase the 
kingdom of Paradise for the race of man ; but he 
restores it to us not on earth, but translated on 
high, where the angels still guard it in the king- 
dom of God, It is this kingdom which this 
prophet proclaims as being at hand, and the path 
to which our leader and king can only tread 
through the mire of Adam’s sin, which spreads 
through this world ; but without taint of sin upon 


72 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


his robes. He being the bearer of our iniquities, 
we shall thereby escape their chastisement. 
Healed by his stripes, we shall be free from the 
penalty which our sins demand. Laid upon him 
will be the transgressions of the world; and by 
one mighty sacrifice of himself, thus laden, as a 
sin-offering, he shall make atonement for the 
great family of Adam, and restore our race to 
reconciliation with Jehovah. Such is to be our 
looked-for Messiah. Alas, while we look for 
him, let us mingle tears with our gladness, and 
humble ourselves, that one so holy and excellent 
should be destined to endure these things for our 
sakes; and when we behold him, let us sink at his 
feet in grateful adoration of his love and charity, 
of his mercy and goodness, of his noble self- 
denial and voluntary upgiving of himself as a 
sacrifice for us; for there could be no higher or 
more valuable victim than he in the universe of 
God; therefore, he hath offered himself, accord- 
ing to the words of the prophet, recording his 
offer, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God !' 

''When the young man had spoken, he walked 
away. Impelled by an unconquerable impulse, 
I followed, and took him in my arms, and 
embracing him, said: 'Of a truth thou art a 
prophet! Thy words come home to my heart 
like the echo of ancient prophecy.’ 

" 'Nay. I have learned these things from the 
study of the Scripture,’ he said, with angelic 
candor and modesty. 'But I have been aided, 
how much I have no words to tell thee, by one 
who hath wisdom and truth abiding in him above 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAYID. 


73 


all men, and whom it is my happiness to have 
my bosom friend, as he is near my own age. If 
I am wise, or virtuous, or good, or know the 
Scriptures, it is that he hath been my counsellor 
and teacher/ 

'What is his name?’ I asked, 'for I also would 
go and learn of him.’ 

" ‘He withdraws from the public eye, and hath 
little converse with but few, and shuns all notice. 
Without his permission I could not take thee to 
him. Yet I will ask him, if you desire it.’ 

" 'What is his appearance, and where doth he 
dwell?’ I inquired, more deeply interested. 

" 'He abides at present at Bethany, my own 
city. He is so beloved by us, that we detain him 
as our guest. But he dwelleth at other times 
with his mother, a holy widow of great sanctity 
and matronly dignity, living at Nazareth, in 
humble condition, and he contributes by labor to 
her support, with the most exemplary filial piety ; 
thus setting an example to the young men of 
Judah, who in this age make a mock of parental 
restraint, and under the evil practices which the 
free license of the wicked custom of Corban 
giveth, neglect them, and no more do aught for 
their father or mother. Indeed, no person ever ‘ 
approaches and speaks with him, without leaving 
him a wiser and better man.’ 

" 'Verily,’ said both Joseph and I together, 
'you have only increased our desire to behold 
him. His appearance must be noble.’ 

" 'He possesseth neither beauty of form nor 
comeliness to strike the eye; but there sits upon 


74 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


his brow a serene dignity, tempered with mild- 
ness, that commands the respect of age, and wins 
the confiding love of childhood. His eyes beam 
with a light, calm and pure, as if shining from 
interior holy thoughts, and they rest upon you, 
when he speaks, with a tenderness of love that is 
like the dewy light of the young mother's gaze, 
when she bends in silent happiness and tears 
over the face of her first-born. He never smiles, 
or rather his face is one soft sunshine of smiling 
rays, tempered in an indescribable manner with 
a settled look of sadness, an almost imperceptible 
shade of permanent sorrow, that seems to fore- 
shadow a life of trial and suffering. When he 
reads from the Phrophets, and unfolds to us with 
a wisdom that we can regard only as given him 
from heaven, the great truths that relate to the 
long-looked-for, and, as we now believe, the 
near-present Messiah, he seems to speak by 
inspiration, yet without emotion, but calmly and 
naturally, in a low-toned voice, that is never 
lifted up at any time, nor ever heard in the 
streets.' 

'' ‘He must be another prophet,' said Joseph, 
with deep earnestness. 

“ ‘He does not prophecy, nor preach,' an- 
swered the young man. 

“ ‘What is his name?' I asked. 

“ ‘Jesus, the Nazarene!' 

“We both promised to remember this name; 
and as our way to Jerusalem lay through 
Bethany, we wished much to call and see him; 
but this step the young man mildly objected to, 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID 


75 


until, he, having made known our wishes to him, 
he then might, if he desired to see us, send into 
Jerusalem for us to go to Bethany. 

“As the young man was then about to move 
away, I asked him his name, as he had greatly 
drawn out my heart towards him, and I felt that 
if I could be his friend, and the friend of the wise 
young man of Nazareth, who sojourned with 
him, I should be perfectly happy, and have no 
other desire — save, indeed, to live till the Mes- 
siah came, that I might behold him, and lay my 
head upon his sacred bosom. 

“ 'My name is Lazarus, the Scribe,’ he 
answered, as he took his leave.” 

“What,” interrupted Mary, when her cousin 
had spoken this name, “then I know him well. 
It is the brother of Mary and Martha, both my 
friends at Bethany, where I passed a week last 
year, just before the Passover.” 

“I am glad to hear that,” said John, “for this 
will be a closer bond of friendship between us. 
The next day we renewed our acquaintance, and 
after three days, departed together homeward. 
Upon arriving at Bethany, he learned that his 
ffriend had gone to Cana, in Galilee, on a visit 
with his mother, to the house of one of her kins- 
folk, whose daughter is in a few weeks to be 
married.” 

Having now, my dear father, communicated 
to you all that John related to us, you will see 
what grounds there are to look upon the prophet 
of Jordan as a man sent from God, or to believe 
that he is the true Elias, whom Malachi hath 


76 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


foretold, and who, as the most learned of the 
Scribes say, must first come to proclaim the 
approach of the Prince of Peace, the Shiloh of 
Israel’s hopes. My emotions, my ideas, my 
opinions, at present, are conflicting and full of 
indecision. On one hand, I am ready to become 
one of John of Jordan’s disciples, and be bap- 
tized of him, looking with faith unto Him who is 
to come after. On the other hand, I tremble lest 
all should be a delusion, for it does not seem pos- 
sible that it is my lot to live in that blessed age 
W'hen Messiah cometh, a period toward which all 
the patriarchs and prophets have looked, desir- 
ing to see His day, but died without possessing 
the promise, beholding it only afar off. The 
infinite greatness of this privilege is all that 
causes me to doubt. Instruct me, dear father; 
open to me the treasures of your wisdom. Thou 
art read in the prophets. Doth the youthful 
prophet of the wilderness truly use their predic- 
tions in their application to Messias? Is it that 
the intellectual Lazarus truly drew the sad por- 
traiture of His dark career on ea-rth? How are 
the opposing prophecies to be reconciled in 
another manner than the young man of Bethany 
has unfolded them? Efcplain to me one other 
interpretation, dear father, how he can be both 
king and a prisoner! Lord of life, yet suffer 
death! With a kingdom boundless as the world, 
yet despised and contemned of men! 

The account brought by John has set Rabbi 
Amos to studying the Prophets, and, indeed, all 
men are looking into them with interest 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 77 

unknown before ; for the multitudes that go away 
from the new prophet, noise his predictions 
abroad, throughout all the land. May God be, 
indeed, about to bless his people, and remember 
his inheritance! 


ADINA. 


LETTER VI. 


My dear Father: — Health and peace to thee, 
and all my friends honored and beloved in Alex- 
andria! — I have again seen the excellent Ben 
Israel, with whom, four months ago, I came 
from Egypt, to sojourn in Jerusalem. He not 
only delivered to me your letters, with the 
acceptable gifts you kindly sent by him, but also 
assured me of your welfare in all things. He is 
at present absent at Damascus, whither he went 
soon after his arrival here, in order to buy the 
celebrated Syrian blades of that city, which he 
takes down to Egypt at a great profit, with other 
merchandise. He assures me that he is gaining 
much wealth by his. caravans of commerce, at 
which I rejoice, for he is an amiable and worthy 
man. His entreaties, that I would return to 
Alexandria with him, would nearly have over- 
come my resolutions of remaining here, but for 
the commands you have laid upon me to avail 
myself of the peculiar privileges which Jerusalem 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


79 


affords for improving the mind; and were it not 
I am deeply interested in the issue of the great 
expectation of Israel. Your letter, dear father, 
commands me to banish this “novelty'' from my 
mind, and continue humbly to worship Jehovah 
after the manner of our fathers. I trust this I 
shall ever do, my dear father; and did I discover 
in this prophet any disposition to bring in a new 
faith, opposed to the ancient faith of Abraham, 
I should tremble to entertain it for a moment. 
Y ou say that this man must be “a false and base 
prophet," or he would not herald a master so 
low and despised as he professes will be the 
Christ he bears witness to. “There have been 
many false Christs and false prophets, my child," 
} ou add, “and Israel has run after them, as they 
now run after this John of Jordan, and the result 
has been, that they have either perished in the 
wilderness or been cut to pieces, with their 
deceiver, by the jealousy of the Roman Gover- 
nors, who looked upon such assemblies as 
seditious. Hold fast, my child, to the religion of 
our fathers, and be not carried away, as I fear 
you are in danger of being, by this wild preacher 
of repentance. The kingdom of Messias is not 
a kingdom of repentance and of humiliation, but 
one of victory, of glory, and dominion. Touch- 
ing those prophecies of humility and abasement 
which this prophet of Jordan applies to Messias, 
they have no application to our expected Shiloh 
and Prince. They either apply to some lesser 
prophet, who will be the forerunner of the true 
Christ (for that he will have a forerunner, the 


so 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. 


Scriptures speak too plainly for doubting), or, as 
some say and believe, especially do the Pharisees, 
there are to be two Messiahs, one who shall come 
in humiliation and suffering to the Gentiles, as an 
atonement for the expiation of their sins, and one 
to come to us in regal power, and in circum- 
stances of glory and splendor, such as no poten- 
tate hath ever manifested, and who shall make 
Jerusalem the metropolis of the globe, and the 
kings of the earth tributary at his feet. Such is 
our Messias, whom the Lord of Hosts send us 
speedily, to lift Judah from the dust of her 
humiliation! If the base person this prophet of 
the desert heralds be a Messias, he is one to the 
Gentiles only, whose great iniquities need the 
self immolation and humiliation of one come 
from God, in atonement herefor; but he is not a 
Messiah to Israel, nor the mighty Prince who 
shall sit in David’s seat on the throne of Zion. 
Therefore, my child, you, as a daughter of Israel, 
have no interest in this novelty that cometh out 
of the wilderness, and after which half the land 
hath foolishly run mad. Wait, be patient, the 
day of Israel’s glory shall trufy arise and shine, 
and all nations shall see it and rejoice. Think 
no more of what thy cousin hath told thee. 
When Messias cometh, He will be heralded by a 
more glorious and eminent person than a young 
man of thirty, clothed in skins, ^nd for food eat- 
ing locusts and wild honey, whose origin and 
authority no man knoweth. Believing that your 
good sense and sound judgment, my Adina, will 
at once lead you to adopt my views, I shall not 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


81 


urge them further, as if I seriously feared your 
defection from the house of your fathers, an 
event which would bring my gray hairs down 
with sorrow to the grave. It is my belief that 
this prophet preaches only himself, and, under 
the mysterious and deceitful notions of another 
to come after him, is but gathering an expectant 
multitude around him, to wield them as instru- 
ments for his own ambitious ends; and by the 
time you write me again, I expect to learn from 
you that he openly proclaims himself the Christ, 
after all ; or that he, with all who are led by him, 
will be destroyed by the swords of the Roman 
legions.’’ 

How can I write to you, my dear father, that 
which is now rushing to my pen, after such an 
expression of your sentiments as you have made 
in this extract from your letter? But I know 
you are wise, and will not evade truth, in what- 
ever form it may offer itself to you, and I there- 
fore, with confidence in your justice and wisdom, 
will faithfully make known to you the events 
relating to the prophet which have transpired, 
and may take place in Judea during my abode 
here. Hear me always with candor, and judge 
without partiality; for this is, without doubt, a 
day of wonderful revelations. I fancy that I 
can now see your brow darken, and that you say, 
^‘enough of this. Are we to have more' of this 
new prophet?” Yes, my dear father, more still, 
and more extraordinary circumstances I am 
about to relate than I have yet written; for the 


82 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


very priests of the Temple have become believers 
in the youthful Seer. 

You will remember how that John, Mary's 
cousin, stated that many priests and others were 
offended at the plain preaching of the prophet, 
whom they went out into the wilderness to see. 
When they returned to Jerusalem, and made 
known to the other members of the House of the 
Priests what had been spoken against them, by 
the application to them of the words of Esaias 
and Jeremias, and other Prophets, there arose at 
once a great outcry against him. Many of the 
Levites even forgot their duties in the Temple, 
in holding discourse with the Scribes and Phari- 
sees, and others, in the streets, in the arches of 
the gates, and in the market-places, touching this 
new prophet, and his bold denunciations of 
them, being so much the more grieved at them 
because they wxre, alas, but too well merited by 
the looseness of their lives. At length, Annas, 
who is High Priest with Caiaphas, sent two of 
the most learned men of the Temple, Levites of 
weight of character, to invite the prophet to 
Jerusalem; for Annas is a wise man, and not 
easily carried away by popular feeling; and, as 
Rabbi Amos hath told me, he is disposed to look 
upon the preaching of John, for such is his name, 
with a serious and reverential eye. The messen- 
gers re.turned after the fifth day, and made their 
report openly in the Court of the Temple, where 
the Pligh Priests sat to receive them, expecting 
to behold the prophet in their company. At 
length, the assembly being convened, the two 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


83 


learned and venerable Levites both rose up, and 
declared that they had delivered the message to 
John, the son of Zacharias, the prophet of Jor- 
dan, and that his answer was given with the 
reverence due to the station of the High Priest 
who had sent to him : 

^'Go and say to the noble High Priest,’’ said 
he, ^hhat I am the voice of one crying in the 
wilderness, as it is written in the book of the 
words of Esaias, the Prophet, who, foreseeing 
my day, saith, 'Tlie voice of one crying in the 
wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, make 
his paths straight.’ All flesh will soon behold 
the salvation of God. My errand is not to city 
nor temple, nor into any house of Israel will I 
enter. He who would hear my testimony to 
Him who is to come after me, let him seek me 
in the wilderness, whence only I am commanded 
to lift up my voice till Shiloh come.” 

When the priests heard this answer, they were 
greatly enraged, and many fiercely cried one 
thing, and many another ; some that he should 
be sought out and stoned to death for defying 
the High Priest (which he did not do, as it was 
for him to obey God rather than man); others, 
that he should be accused to the Procurator, 
Pontius Pilate, Governor of Judea, as a seditious 
and dangerous person, and fomentor of insur- 
rections. Caiaphas was of the latter opinion, 
and wrote, from his tribunal, an epistle to the 
Roman ruler, making accusation hereof against 
the prophet of the desert, and recommending 
him to secure his person, lest further mischief 


84 


THE ^1H^XE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


should come of it; adding, that Tiberius Caesar, 
hearing of the matter, would conceive it to be a 
movement of the whole Jewish nation, desirous 
of casting off the Roman rule, under a new chief; 
and thus bring down an army upon the land, 
utterly to destroy it. But the milder Annas 
viewed the whole matter in a different light, and 
said: 

‘'Men and brethren — let nothing be done 
hastily. If this man be a false prophet, he will 
soon perish with his lies, and we shall hear no 
more of him. If, peradventure, as it would 
appear, he is sent from God, let us not make 
haste to do him a mischief, lest, haply, we be 
found fighting against the Lord of Hosts.’' 

This moderation found favor with but few, but 
of these few. Rabbi Amos was one. But if the 
priests who thronged the outer court, in pres- 
ence of the High Priest, were deeply moved at 
the report of the prophet’s answer, their excite- 
ment became well nigh uncontrollable, when 
both Melchi and Heli, their messengers, rose up, 
waving their hands for silence, and declared, 
that, after having listened to the prophet to 
whom they had been sent, they were convinced 
of the truth of his words, and of his divine com- 
mission, and been baptized of him in Jordan, 
confessing their sins. 

Only the sanctity of the Temple prevented the 
five hundred priests rushing upon them, and 
smiting them when they heard this. They were 
3t once placed under arrest by order of the High 
Priest Caiaphas, for acting in a manner unbe- 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


85 


coming a priest of the Most High God: 'Tor/' 
said he, "this is to degrade the Temple to the feet 
of a wandering imposter, and is an open acknow- 
ledgment that virtue hath left the worship of 
Zion, and must be sought for in the deserts of 
Jordan. Which/' he called aloud, "which, men 
of Israel, is the greatest, the altar of the Lord, or 
the waters of Jordan? — the Priest of the Most 
High, or he of the wilderness? Away with these 
recreant blasphemers, to be tried and adjudged 
according to our sacred laws." The people who 
had heard John preach, hereupon were only 
prevented from rescuing the two priests by the 
presence of a guard of Roman soldiers, for which 
Caiaphas promptly sent. 

From this account, my dear father, you can 
form some idea of the excitement which the 
preaching of this new prophet is producing 
among all classes. The poorer sort of people 
are his advocates, and the rich and the rulers, 
the priests and the great men of the nation, 
oppose him, save a few among the best and the 
wisest. Of these few is Rabbi Amos, who is 
engaged all the time he is not on duty in the 
Temple, in searching the Scriptures, to see if 
these things are so; and at every prophecy he 
reads, he is more and more convinced that the 
day of Messias is at hand, and that this prophet is, 
without doubt, he who was to be sent from God 
in the "spirit and power of Elias," to prepare the 
way before him. Every evening there are 
assembled at our house from twelve to eighteen 
of the chief men of the Jews, who often pass half 


86 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


the night in warm discussions upon these great 
things; those among them who have heard John, 
being disposed to give him the high rank he 
claims, as forerunner of Shiloh. Among these 
is Stephen, a man whose father was High Priest, 
and who is himself a lawyer and student of no 
mean repute. He has not yet heard John, the 
prophet, but he openly said last night that, after 
the most careful examination of all the Prophets, 
he was firmly of the opinion that the day of their 
fulfilment was close at hand; and that, for his 
part, he was willing to hail the prophet of Jordan 
as the true herald of Messias. Hereupon, two- 
thirds of the company said the same thing, but 
the others doubted, and cautioned the rest not 
to be too rash ; that it was time enough to believe 
in Messias when he himself should come in his 
own person. 

Such, my dear father, is the present condition 
of the mind of the people of Jerusalem. If the 
Prince of Glory should, indeed, suddenly appear, 
there could be scarcely more excitement, though 
it would be of a different nature. There is some- 
thing sublime to see a young man, who dwelleth 
alone in the wilderness, poor and unknown, thus 
moving the great heart of a nation; surely, his 
power must be divinely derived. You ask me, 
and so is the question constantly put by the 
Scribes, and Pharisees, and Priests, to the 
disciples of John: ^'Does he perform miracles? 
Show me a miracle, and I will believe in him ; for 
this is the only test of a true prophet’s Divine 
commission.” No, dear father, he has per- 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


87 


formed no miracle, unless it be one continuous 
miracle, whereby he keeps in the wilderness a 
multitude, daily enlarged, from the outpouring 
gates of every city in Judah, listening to his 
words, and bowing their heads to the sacred 
waters of his penetential baptism. 

As next week Rabbi Amos does not serve in 
his course in the Temple, and as he will have 
some affairs that will take him to Gilgal, where 
he has three fields now ripe for the sickle, he has 
yielded to the desire of his daughter Mary and 
myself to accompany him; for he does not con- 
ceal from us that he shall make it a point to visit 
and hear the prophet, as it will be but two hours 
travel from Gilgal to the place where he 
preaches. You will, I fear me, object to this 
journey. But if the worship of our fathers has 
nothing to fear from falsehood, it surely has 
nought to fear from truth; and in either case I, 
as a true daughter of Israel, have nothing to 
fear. If the prophet teach what is false, I shall 
remain true; and if he teach what is true, shall I 
not be the gainer? I hear you say this is but 
feeble and womanly argumentation. But as you 
have given me the credit of, more than once, 
declaring it to be your belief, that I am old and 
wise enough to judge for myself in most matters, 
I beg you will suffer me to hear the prophet with 
my own ears, in order that I may decide whether 
I ought to give heed to his predictions, or reject 
them as the visions of a dreamer. One thing is 
clear — if the Christ that John prophesies be the 
true Son of the Highest, and is, in reality, to 


88 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


make his appearance ere long, in humiliation and 
poverty, his rejection by the High Priests, and 
by the rich and powerful of Judah, is certain. 
May God, then, remove blindness from our eyes, 
that, if this be the very Messias indeed, Israel 
may recognize their king, and not do so fearful 
a thing in their pride as to reject him openly! 
In this case, who will stand between God and our 
ill-fated race? Therefore, my dear father, it 
behooves every man in Israel to examine this 
matter with a sober and humble mind, and move 
with caution in opposition to what may prove the 
dearest hopes of our people. When I shall have 
returned from the desert, whither we are to 
travel on litters and mules, I will write you all 
that I have heard. 

j You will remember the young Roman Cen- 
turion, to whose courtesy I was indebted in 
rescuing me from the rudeness of the two Gen- 
tile soldiers. He has preserved, since then, 
acquaintance with Rabbi Amos, who speaks of 
him with respect; and as he has of late expressed 
some interest in knowing what the studies are 
which occupy the Rabbi so constantly when 
he calls to see him, which he has done frequently, 
a copy of the Prophets was placed in his hands; 
but as he professed he was not learned enough 
to read Hebrew, the good Rabbi, who believed 
he saw in him a hopeful convert to the faith of 
Judah, called in Mary to read and interpret to 
him. But her knowledge of the Roman tongue 
did not prove sufficient, and at her request, the 
Rabbi sent for me, to come into the marble hall 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


89 


of the corridor, where they sat by the fountain, 
under the shade of the acacia, which Amos says 
you took, with your own hands, from Isaiah's 
grave, and planted here, many years ago, and 
which I therefore call ‘‘my father’s tree.” 

“Come hither, Adina,” said my uncle, in his 
benevolent tones: “here you behold a noble 
Roman youth whom you must be too generous 
to have forgotten.” I bowed, and scarcely lifted 
my eyelids from the tesselated floor; for there 
was a fire in the glance of the handsome youth 
that they could not encounter. He said some 
words of salutation, but I only heard the voice, 
which fell upon my heart with a strange vibra- 
tion like the eflects of music. Surely, these 
barbarians of Italia have the richest language of 
all men; compared with it, our Hebrew is harsh, 
and strangely gutteral. “The Roman Centu- 
rion,” continued Amos, “hath desired to know 
something of the sacred books of our nation, of 
which he saith he hath heard much; and of the 
prophecies, from which he believes the famed 
Sibylline books were composed.’^ 

“I have studied the sacred books of Etruria, 
of Gaul, and those of the Goths and the Druids, 
of Egypt, and of Persia, as well as of my own 
people,” said the Centurion, modestly, “ but in 
all these I find rites and ceremonies, doctrines 
and laws, that are unworthy to emanate from the 
supreme Jove of so vast a universe. We, 
Romans, in the multiplicity of our Gods, in deify- 
ing everything, in reality deify nothing! Every 
thing we call God, but we realize God nowhere.’^ 


90 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


“Then thou hast well directed thy inquiries 
touching this book/' answered Amos, with 
warmth, and loking on the Roman with respect- 
ful compassion. “Here is to be found the true 
and only revelation of Jehovah to men. Here is 
developed a divine character, worthy of the 
Creator of the universe. Here are laid down 
laws and ceremonies, rites and doctrines, com- 
mands and precepts, that are worthy to emanate 
from the Father and God of all men. Thou 
shalt hear and judge for thyself. I am but im- 
perfectly skilled in the Roman tongue, save for 
daily intercourse, but here is an Egyptian 
maiden who can interpret for thee in the idiom 
of Grecia, or of Italia, and I will place the sacred 
scroll in her hands, while I listen. Come, Adina, 
open and read the beginning of the Book of 
Moses." 

I obeyed, as I would have obeyed you, dear 
father, and, seated at the feet of Amos, I read 
and translated aloud into Greek, which the 
Roman youth had said was even more familiar 
to him than his native tongue (as it is to all 
educated persons in the world), the first five 
hundred lines. These, as you know, give an 
account of the creation of the world, and of man, 
of his defection, and his expulsion from Para- 
dise; of the promise of Messias to restore what 
he had lost; of the curse denounced upon the 
creation, and the slaying of the Patriarch Abel, 
with the population of the earth, its wickedness, 
and destruction by the flood. 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


91 


To this the youthful warrior listened with the 
profoundest respect and attention; and when he 
had thanked me, and asked permission to come 
and be further taught from pages which he said 
seemed, indeed, to be written with the finger of 
the Supreme Lord of the universe, he asked if 
the Messias had yet come who was to restore all 
things? and if not, when was he to be looked for? 
This inquiry led to a conversation upon the 
preaching of John in the wilderness, and his pre- 
dictions of the near advent of Shiloh. Rabbi 
Amos, seeing that he became deeply interested in 
the subject, made me turn to the particular 
prophecies of Daniel, Esaias, David, and others, 
and read them to him: both those which 
described, in golden ’^ords, the glory and domin- 
ion of his power, and those which represented 
him as despised and rejected. After I had read 
all which the Rabbi directed me to read, the 
young man remained some time very thoughtful. 
At length he said, with animation: 'T can now 
comprehend why men run into the wilderness. 
I should like to hear this prophet.’’ 

When Amos told him that he contemplated 
journeying to Gilgal the next week, and intended 
to visit the desert to hear him, he at once asked 
permission to be of his company; but when I 
remarked that Mary and I were also to go, his 
dark eyes beamed with pleasure, and he imme- 
diately said : 

will accompany you with a squadron of 
horse, as the roads are not safe, for no longer 


£)2 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

than yesterday we received a rumor that the cele- 
brated robber chief, Barabbas, at the head of a 
large band, has made his appearance again on 
the hills, between Ephraim and Jericho, and had 
robbed not only two caravans, but many of those 
who were travelling to hear this prophet. I will 
make an expedition against him, after seeing you 
safely in Jericho.'’ 

When we heard of this robber, we were not a 
little disposed to decline our journey; but Rabbi 
Amos thanked him, and said he would gladly 
accept his escort, “inasmuch," he added, smiling, 
“as I know you Roman knights here in garrison 
have but little to employ your time, and would 
esteem it a privilege to have an excursion of this 
kind. Moreover, you say you must go against 
this bandit; so we do not so much draw on your 
courtesy as take shelter under your duty." 

It is, therefore, decided, dear father, that we 
leave early next week for Jericho and Gilgal, and 
go also into the wilderness, to see and hear the 
prophet. On my return, I shall not fail to write 
you without delay. Till then, withhold your 
judgment, and have confidence in mine. With 
holy aspirations for the coming of the kingdom 
of David, and the restoration of his throne in 
Zion, I remain, with filial love, your daughter, 

ADINA. 

[John, cousin to Mary, who I erroneously told 
you in my second letter was the son of the rich 


THE PliINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


93 


matron whose husband was slain by the Romans, 
and is only her nephew, as, doubtless, you are 
aware, has gone to the Lake of Galilee, where 
his father and brother have ships, and many ser- 
vants, engaged in fishing, in order to look after 
their welfare. He may meet us at Gilgal.] 


LETTER VIL 


My Dear Father: — My trembling fingers 
scarcely hold the light reed with which I am 
about to write you concerning the extraordinary 
things I have seen and heard; but they tremble 
only with joy. Oh, my father, my dear, dear 
father, Messias has come! I have seen him! I 
have heard his voice! He has truly come! Oh, 
joy, joy! My eyes have beheld him of whom 
Moses and the Prophets did write! But let me 
not anticipate. In order that you may believe 
as I believe, though you have seen Him not, I 
will give to you an account of those events which 
have happened since my last letter was sent to 
you. I will try to write free from emotion, and 
keep my bounding heart still, and my hand calm, 
while I set in order all that has taken place, that 
your understanding may judge of them with that 
candor and wisdom which makes men see in you 
the wisest Israelite in the land of Egypt. 

You will recollect that in my last epistle, which 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


95 


went by the Cairo caravan, I mentioned that 
Rabbi Amos, taking advantage of the recess in 
his duties at the Temple, the course of the ven- 
erable Elihud being now waiting upon the altar, 
made up his mind to pay his annual visit to the 
wheat fields which he has in charge, near 
Jericho, and which, as you know, are not his own 
lands, but are in trust to him for the heirs of 
Manasseh, of the tribe of Benjamin, who was 
slain in trying to rescue Jericho from the 
Romans. Rabbi Amos also felt no little curi- 
osity to hear John of Jordan, as he is called, 
whose fame has spread far and wide. At the 
request of Mary and myself, he consented that 
we should accompany him. John, the young 
man who is betrothed to my cousin, having gone 
to the sea of Galilee to see about certain ships 
which were there in charge of his brother James 
and his father, was to meet us at Gilgal, and 
accompany us to Jordan; for he thinks and 
speaks of nothing now but the prophet of the 
wilderness, from whom he feels that he suffers 
great loss to be absent, even for a day. 

The road from Jerusalem to Jericho had 
become recently unsafe, on account of the bold- 
ness of an insurrectionary chief called Barabbas, 
who a year ago made insurrection against the 
Romans, but was defeated, and his band dis- 
persed into the mountains south of the sea of 
Sodom; but, at last, driven to famine, he has 
taken to robbing caravans ; and since the number 
of travellers has increased so much between Jer- 
usalem and Jordan, to hear John, and be bap- 


96 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


tized of him, he has fallen upon large parties of 
them, and taken from them all their goods and 
money. On this account Rabbi Amos accepted 
the courteous offer of the escort of the young 
Centurion, who had been ordered by the Pro- 
curator, Pontius Pilate, to keep the road open 
between Jerusalem and Jericho; for even the 
Roman couriers were stopped by this fearless 
robber and slain by him. The pride of Rabbi 
Amos shrunk from this dependence upon a 
Roman arm, in making a peaceful journey 
through his own land; but there is, alas! dear 
father, no one now among the seed of Abraham 
to assert their rights. We can only bow our 
heads to the yoke the Lord God has placed upon 
our necks. 

It was faint dawn when we rose from our 
couches to prepare for the journey. The mules 
upon which we were to ride were brought into 
the court by the two swarthy Gibeonite serfs, 
whom Rabbi Amos holds in his service, and 
comparisoned with rich saddles covered with 
Persian saddle-cloths, embroidered with gold. 
The two pack mules were also made ready, on 
one of which was the travelling equipage of my 
cousin Mary and myself, which Rabbi Amos 
smilingly said, took up more space than the 
goods and travelling wares of a Damascus mer- 
chant. At sunrise, after we had kneeled upon 
the house-top, in view of the Temple, and sent 
up our prayers with its sacrifices and clouds of 
ascending incense, we descended to the court- 
yard to mount for the road. There was a stout 


THE PR1^XE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


97 


mule for good Rabbi Amos, though the Centu- 
rion sent him a handsome Persian horse to ride; 
but my uncle said that he had never trusted him- 
self on so uncertain an animal as a horse in his 
youth, and he thought he should scarcely adven- 
ture such a feat in his old age; so he preferred his 
mule. 

Plaving got ourselves seated upon our cush- 
ioned saddles, and our veils ready to draw over 
our faces, we expected each moment the arrival 
of the Centurion and his cohort of horse; but a 
Numidian slave came running, and, bowing to 
the ground before Rabbi Amos, said that the 
Centurion would meet us at the corner of the 
two ways, beyond the walls, at Absalom’s Pillar. 
Whereupon we all mounted, and took our way 
towards the East Gate. We were five persons 
in all. Rabbi Amos, my cousin Mary and myself, 
and the two Gibeonites, both of whom were 
young men, whose fathers for many centuries 
had been servants in the family of Amos, even 
from the time of Joshua, when this people 
deceived him by their craftiness, and were 
doomed to perpetual servitude. I am much 
struck with the appearance of this singular race 
of men. They have very dark faces, eagle- 
beaked noses, flashing black eyes, and slender, 
lithe forms. They look cunning and treacher- 
ous, but seem to be cowardly, and easily con- 
trolled by firmness. They are incapable of any 
attachments, and gratitude seems to be thrown 
away upon them. I heard a singular tradition 
about them from one of the Levites, who often 


98 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


visits Rabbi Amos; which is, that they are de- 
scended from the servants of Noah, which were 
saved with him in the ark, but who, as being of 
an inferior rank, were not included in the record 
of Noah’s family. But, doubtless, you have 
heard the same tradition. 

The morning was bright and cheerful, with the 
golden sun pouring its light over temple and 
tower, castle and roof, wall and rampart, hill and 
grove, valley and brook, one and all of which 
were lighted up with the glory of his morning 
beams. As we turned the street leading to the 
Sheep Gate, we passed the house of Caiaphas, 
the High Priest, whom I saw standing upon the 
marble porch of his superb palace. He was not 
arrayed in his sumptuous robes, with the breast- 
plate of dazzling stones, and kingly cap, as I had 
seen him in the Temple; but was dressed in a 
flowing black robe, over which was thrown a 
scarf of white linen; and upon his snow-white 
locks he wore a scarlet hood, a dress common to 
all the priests, so that if I had not recognized 
him by his tall and commanding form, and flow- 
ing white hair, and piercing eye, as he surveyed 
us, I should not have known that it was the High 
Priest. Pie spoke to Rabbj Amos, who did him 
reverence, and lowly did I bend my own head 
before the majesty of the representative of God 
on earth. 

A little further on, we met a party corning from 
the country beyond Kedron, with large cages 
upon their mules, laden with turtle-doves and 
young pigeons, which they were carrying to the 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAYID. 


99 


Temple, to be sold there for sacrifices. My 
heart pitied the innocent things, whose blue, 
pretty heads were thrust by the dozen through 
the rough bars of their prison houses, as they 
cast their soft eyes up at me, as if asking me to 
deliver them from their bondage. And when I 
reflected that they were to offer up their innocent 
lives for the sins of the men and women of 
Israel, my cheek burned with the blush of shame, 
that we were so guilty before the Lord God, that 
the innocent must die for us. As Mary was rid- 
ing behind me, in order to let the laden mules 
pass with their immense cages, one of the turtle- 
doves, affrighted by the noise of the streets, 
extricated itself from between the bars, and, 
spreading its wings, flew into the air, and then 
taking its flight for the country, soared far above 
the city walls, and disappeared in the distance. 
I felt rejoiced at the innocent bird’s escape, and 
sent my good wishes for its safe return to its 
lodge in the wilderness. Just before we reached 
the Sheep Gate, by which we were to gain the 
Jericho road, we met a poor blind man leading a 
a lamb, or rather, being led by a tame lamb. He 
also had two pigeons in his bosom. He was 
asked by Rabbi Amos, who knew him, whither 
he was going. He answered that he was going 
to 4he Temple to sacrifice them. ^'Nay,” said 
Amos, with surprise, ‘ffhou wilt not sacrifice thy. 
lamb, Bartimeus!” 

'T have promised them to God, Rabbi Amos, 
and I may not break my promise without sin.” 


100 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


^^But thy lamb leadeth thee everywhere. It is 
eyes to thee. Thou canst not do without it.’' 

^'God will provide me another lamb,” he 
answered, his face beaming with hope. 

^^But thy doves? Thou earnest by them many 
a mite in a day, they are so well taught in cun- 
ning and pleasant tricks to please children. If 
thou must sacrifice according to thy vow, spare 
these so needful to thee, and here is money to 
buy doves and another lamb,” answered my 
benevolent uncle. 

'‘Hear what I have to say,” answered Barti- 
meus. "My father became sick, and was likely 
to die, and I vowed a vow to God that if he 
would heal the old man, my father, I would sac- 
riiice unto him one of my doves. The next day 
my mother, who has nourished my childhood, 
and loved me, though I was born blind, with all 
her heart was also taken sick. I then vowed my 
other pigeon. The same night my little 
daughter, my little blind daughter, whose face I 
never saw, and who never saw her father’s face, 
was sick nigh unto death. Then it was that I 
vowed all that remained to me, even the lamb of 
my bosom, whom I love next to my child! My 
father, my mother, my child, are restored, and in 
my joy I am on my way to the Temple to offer 
these gifts of God to him. It will be hard, "feir, 
to part with them, I shall miss them so much; 
but shall I not perform my vow? It will be hard 
but God will not let blind Bartimeus suffer, since 
He will see that he offereth, in offering his two 
little doves and his lamb, all that he hath.” 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 101 


With these words he moved on, the lamb, 
obeying the string which he held, softly moving 
on before; while I could see the sightless eyes of 
the righteous son and father trickle tears, as he 
kissed, and kissed again, the doves that lay in his 
bosom. This little occurrence made me sad; 
.yet I honored the resolute piety of this poor 
man, whose eyes, though they saw not men, 
seemed to see God and feel his presence. There 
is still humble piety in the land, my dear father, 
and finding it not among the proud and splendid 
priests, we must look for it in the hearts of the 
poor and humble, like Bartimeus. 

Upon reaching the Sheep Gate, we were not 
detained by the Roman captain, who kept others, 
examing their passports, and taking gate-money 
from those who were without them; for though 
foot passengers may pass in and out free, yet 
from those who ride horses or mules is exacted 
money, unless they have passes signed by the 
Procurator. But the captain of the gate no 
sooner saw us, than he, with great civility, made 
us pass through the gate in advance of others 
who were ready to go through, saying that the 
young Centurion, whose name, I think, I have 
not told you, is ^milius, had given him orders 
not to detain us. The stern, iron-cased Roman 
soldiers that stood about the gate, struck me as 
having just the aspect and forms of men who 
would conquer the world. When I reflected 
that there was not a city on the earth, at whose 
gates did not stand just such men as these, 
armed, and clad, and bearded like them, I could 


102 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

not but respect the universal power of the 
Roman empire, while I feared it. 

Once outside of the gates, the air blew fresh 
from the hills of olives, laden with fragrance. 
After being so long confined within the walls and 
narrow streets, it seemed to me that I had just 
broken out of my cage, like the pretty, blue- 
headed turtle-dove, and I felt like winging my 
way, too, to the free deserts, if wings of a dove, 
so ardently longed for by King David, could 
only have been given me. On our right, not far 
from the gate. Rabbi Amos pointed out to me 
the pool of Bethesda, and turning my eyes 
towards it, I beheld a most touching spectacle. 
All the five porches were filled with sick and 
impotent folk, the lame, halt, blind, and withered, 
waiting, as my uncle told us, for the moving of 
the waters; for, at certain seasons, he said that 
God sends an angel down into the pool to trouble 
the water, when, whosoever steps in first, is made 
whole of whatever disease he may have. I could 
not but stop my mule to regard so remarkable a 
sight as this congregation of miserable people, 
of whom there must have been no less than four 
hundred; some leaning, pale and haggard, 
against the columns, some creeping about in 
helplessness, like brutes trying to get nigher the 
pool, from which the stronger thrust them back; 
some reclining patiently upon their beds, in 
humble waiting for God’s time; and others being 
borne hither on the shoulders of men. Sud- 
denly, as I was about to ride on, and shut out 
this painful sight, one of the most extraordinary 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 103 


scenes that human eyes could witness took place. 
The surface of the pool, which was hitherto per- 
fectly placid, all at once became agitated, as if it 
were boiling, and began to swell, rush, or rather 
swing from side to side, in a remarkable manner. 
No sooner was this seen, then there arose from 
the throng of wretched invalids who crowded its 
steps, a cry of four hundred voices all at once, 
shrieks of joy, shouts of wonder, words of 
amazed exclamation, while a simultaneous move- 
ment took place of the whole mass of human 
bodies, which became as wildly tossed to and fro 
as were the waters. Those nearest plunged 
madly m, while those behind rushed down, some 
wildly shrieking in their agonizing haste, and 
some uttering the most fearful curses, as they 
found their way obstructed by the impenetrable 
masses before them. The most weak and impo- 
tent being most eager, and being farthest off, 
made superhuman exertions to gain the pool, 
howling, and climbing with hands and feet, over 
the backs of others, to be hurled to the ground 
and trampled upon by others who were behind 
them. Some strong men, who tried to open the 
way for one they were carrying, drew their 
knives, and proceeded to cut their way through 
the haggard and mouthing wretches who 
crowded the way, which violence being seen by 
the Romans from the gate, they went down, 
some score of them, with drawn swords, to quell 
the tumult ; for the whole pool was in an uproar. 
Unable to endure the dreadful scene, we rode 
rapidly on, but I afterwards heard that before 


104 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


quiet was restored, several men were slain, and 
that five of those who had got into the pool were 
drowned beneath the feet of those who recklessly 
leaped in, over the heads of others, upon them. 

“Is it possible,’’ I asked Rabbi Amos, after we 
had reached the borders of Kedron, “that it is 
the act of an angel that can produce all this 
confusion and outbreak of the worst of human 
passions?” 

“There is no doubt that the troubling of the 
waters is a miracle,” he answered. “The act of 
the angel is good. His touch gives a healing 
power that cures diseases; and shall his benevo- 
lence be answerable for these dreadful and dis- 
gusting consequences which we have just 
witnessed?” 

I was silent; but I sighed for the wickedness 
of man, that can make even God’s gifts curses in 
the reception of them. 

We now turned a little to the right, for as the 
bridge by which the road of Jericho is usually 
gained was being solidly rebuilt by the Romans, 
we had to follow the brookside till we came near 
Absalom’s Pillar, at the sight of which, the whole 
history of that misguided young prince came 
before me. How wonderful, that the glorious 
head of golden hair, of which he was vain, and 
of which the poets of that day speak more than 
once, should have been the instrument of his 
death! There were ancient oak trees in sight, 
which the Rabbi said were old enough to be part 
of the forest through which he rode so fatally, 
and, doubtless, were. He showed me the pit 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 105 


into which the ten young men who slew Absa- 
lom cast him, heaping great stones upon him. 
It is close beside the pillar. This prince must 
have been as brave as he was beautiful and diso- 
bedient, that when hanging by his hair in the 
oak, and incapable of doing them harm, it should 
require “ten young men to compass him and 
smite him.’^ How interesting to me is every 
spot about Jerusalem! I seem to live in the 
ancient days, when I see the scenes where have 
been enacted the great events wdiich constitute 
the history and glory of our nation. 

We had hardly reached the place where the 
two roads meet, when we heard to the west the 
sound of the galloping of a large body of horse, 
and the next moment the young Roman Centu- 
rion came in sight, by the road from the Horse 
Gate, riding at the head of a troop of horse, 
whose martial appearance, with the ringing of 
their armor, and the melody of their bugles, 
made my blood leap; and I am sure, if I could 
have seen my eyes, I should have discovered in 
them a martial fire, ^milius looked like a 
Prince, and his burnished armor shone in the 
sun like armor of fire. At his side rode a youth, 
who bore the eagle of his band; but the Centu- 
rion himself carried in his hand only the badge 
of his rank, which was a vine-rod bound with 
rings of gold. He saluted us with that courtesy 
which distinguishes his 5very motion, and then 
(lividing his troop into two bodies, half of whom 
trotting on ahead, led the van, and the other 
)ialf, falling behind, served as a rear-guard. He 


106 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


then gave the word to move forward. The Cen- 
turion himself rode either by the side of Rabbi 
Amos, or near our bridles, but he did not so far 
occupy himself with us as to forget his duty as 
captain, which he fulfilled with the utmost vigi- 
lance, especially after we passed the village, and 
entered upon the desert space that lies beyond 
Bethany. 

Farewell, dear father, till my next, when I will 
resume my narrative of the events which have 
taken place since I left Jerusalem. The God of 
our father Abraham be your defence and shield. 
Your affectionate daughter, 


ADINA. 


LETTER VIIL 


My Dear Father: — The very kind manner in 
which you have received my communications 
respecting the extraordinary prophet now 'draw- 
ing all Judea after him into the wilderness, and 
the assurance that I can obtain from your wis- 
dom, learning and piety, a solution of all diffi- 
culties, and a true guide to the truth, prompt me 
to continue freely, and in detail, the relation of 
events that have passed under my experience. I 
shall, in my accounts of the marvellous occur- 
rences that I have witnessed, and may yet wit- 
ness, not only convey to you the impressions 
made upon my own mind, but upon the minds 
of many others, of the wise, and learned, and 
great, who also have heard and seen these things. 
Thus you will have the weight of many testi- 
monies, which you will doubtless hold in respect 
in proportion to the dignity, and wisdom, and 
rank of the persons. 

My last letter ended with an account of the 


108 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

Roman escort, under the authority of the young 
Roman Centurion, who, as I have before written 
to you, with so much courtesy proffered its pro- 
tection to our little party. The day was yet 
early, the sun not having got more than an hour 
and a half high above the Arabian hills, and the 
air was of that buoyant elasticity so agreeable 
to breathe, and which strikes me as one of the 
peculiar blessings of this holy land of our fathers. 
In Egypt there is a want of life in the torrid air 
at this season, that we do not here experience; 
and as I rode along, I felt as if I would gladly 
mount the Arabian of the desert, and fly across 
the sandy seas of Edom, with the fleetness which 
amazes me whenever I see the children of the 
desert ride; for a band of thirty came near us 
from a gorge as we approached Bethany, and, 
after watching us a few moments, scoured away 
into the recesses of the hills, like the wind, as a 
detachment of a score of our Roman escort was 
ordered to' gallop towards them. Upon this, 
Rabbi Amos said that we were fortunate in hav- 
ing such strong protection, for this party of the 
children of Esau would otherwise have attacked 
and plundered us, as they are wont to do every 
party of Israelites they fall in with; and the 
recent concourse of so many people to Jordan, 
has drawn them boldly near Jerusalem, says the 
Roman Centurion, in great numbers, to lay in 
wait for, and rob them. Thus, the hostility 
which began between the patriarch Jacob and 
the patriarch Esau, has never yet been healed, 
but rankles in the bosoms of their descendants 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


109 


even to this day; and still, ^'Esau hateth Jacob, 
because of the blessing wherewith his father 
blessed him.” The Romans greatly admired 
the horsemanship of these children of Esau, and, 
upon their heavy horses, armed with their iron 
armor, it would have been vain to have followed 
them to their retreats. 

We soon afterwards reached Bethany, from 
which we had a gorgeous view of the Holy City 
of God, with its lofty Temple glittering in the 
sunbeams, like a mountain of architectural sil- 
ver. The tower of Antonia darkly contrasted 
with its splendor, and the citadel of David 
frowned over the walls with a warlike majesty 
that deeply impressed me. Ah, how could I 
gaze upon the scene, my dear father, without 
emotions of awe, wonder, adoration, and grati- 
tude! I drew rein, and entreated Rabbi Amos 
to delay a few moments, while I surveyed Jerusa- 
lem, which, familiar as it might be to him, and 
to all the rest of our cavalcade, was new to me; 
but he was too far ahead to hear me, for I had 
already been lingering for some seconds ; and the 
Centurion, riding up to my side, stopped respect- 
fully, with a portion of his command, and said 
he would await my leisure. I could not but 
thank him for his civilit}^ and then turning to 
the city, I was soon lost to all else but the awful 
contemplation of it. Irresistibly, as I gazed, I 
went back, in memory, to the time when our 
father Abraham was met before its gates by Mel- 
chisedek, its king, who received regal homage 
from him. I saw again, David coming forth 


110 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


from its lofty portals, at the head of armies, to 
conquer the surrounding nations. I beheld the 
splendid trains of oriental monarchs, of the kings 
of the South, and the kings of the North, and of 
vSheba, the queen of happy Arabia, winding 
through its pleasant valley, and entering in to 
prostrate themselves before Solomon, the prince 
of wisdom, glory, and power, the fame of whose 
wisdom and greatness filled the whole earth. 
Alas ! the whole earth is now filled with the story 
of the shame and bondage of Israel! But the 
day cometh, dear father, when she shall lift up 
her face from the dust, and put on regal gar- 
ments, and God shall place a crown upon her 
head, and her glory and dominion shall be with- 
out end. This certainty quenched the tears that 
burst into my eyes, as I contrasted the present 
with the past. In memory, as I continued to 
gaze, I saw the armies of the Assyrians, and the 
armies of the Chaldeans, the armies of Egypt, 
and of Persia, of Cyrus, and of Greece, all, each 
in its turn, encompassing the Holy City, and 
conquering it, even though God dwelt therein 
in the mysterious fire of the Shechinah. But the 
presence of Jehovah, in a city or in a heart, will 
not save it from its foes, if the city or the heart 
be not with God; and we know from the Proph- 
ets that the hearts of our fathers were far from 
God; and, therefore, were they delivered up to 
their enemies to be scourged. Oh, my dear 
father, that our people of to-day would learn the 
fearful lesson that the past teacheth them! 

^'You should see Rome,” said the Centurion, 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


Ill 


who had watched my emotion evidently with 
surprise. ‘‘It is a city of grandeur unequalled. 
It covers six times more space than this city, and 
it contains three hundred and sixty-five temples, 
while Jerusalem contains but one!” 

“There is no God but one,” I answered, 
impressively. 

“We believe that there is one God, who is the 
author of a great multitude of lesser gods, and to 
each we erect a temple.” 

Upon this, touched with pity that one so noble 
in mind and person should be so ignorant of the 
truth, I began to show him from the Prophets 
that God was one, and that all things were made 
by Him. But he, plucking a blossom from a 
tree which was within reach, said: 

“It is beneath the dignity of the Father of the 
gods, the great Jove, to descend to make a flower 
like this ; or shape a crystal ; or color the ruby ; or 
create that golden-dyed humming-bird which 
flutters among those fragrant blossoms. Pie 
made the sun, and moon, and stars, and earth, 
but left the lesser w^orks to inferior deities. Talk 
to me of thy One God, and prove to me, maiden, 
that He made all things, and is One, and thy God 
shall be my God.” 

It w^as tHen no time for me to endeavor to 
combat this error, but I have reserved to myself 
the first convenient opportunity to endeavor to 
instruct him in the truth as it is revealed from 
Heaven to our favored people. He has already 
manifested an inquiring spirit into our holy faith, 
and Rabbi Amos has taught him many things 


112 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


from the books of Moses, but sufficient only to 
lead him to desire to know more ; but not to erad- 
icate from his heart his pagan superstitions. 
The gentleness of his nature, his sound judg- 
ment, the frankness of his character, the ingenu- 
ous temper of the whole man, inspire me with 
great confidence that he will be ultimately con- 
vinced of his errors, and embrace the faith of 
Israel. 

We now rode forward through the principal 
street of Bethany, and soon came to the house of 
your former friend. Rabbi Abel, who died many 
years ago at Alexandria, when he went there with 
merchandise, and after the welfare of whose 
children you desired me to make inquiries. They 
are now, as you are aware, grown to the full 
estate of manhood and womanhood, and still 
dwell at Bethany. Being friends of my cousin 
Mary, it was decided that we should stop there 
to rest half an hour before proceeding on our 
way. It was a plain and humble dwelling, be- 
fore which Rabbi Amos assisted me to alight; 
but there was an air of sweet domestic repose 
about it that at once came home to my heart, and 
made me love the place even before I had seen 
the inmates, who had come out to receive, and 
gone in with my cousin; but on hearing of my 
arrival, there came out a fair young girl of 
twenty-two, with the most amiable expression of 
affectionate welcome; and, approaching me, 
with mingled respect and love, she embraced me, 
while Rabbi Amos pronounced our names to 
each other. I felt immediately as if I were in a 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 113 


sister’s arms, and that I should love her always. 
Next came forth a young man of about thirty 
years of age, with a countenance of exceedingly 
interesting expression, full of intellect and good 
will. He was pale and habitually thoughtful, 
but a fine friendly light beamed in his dark, 
handsome eyes, as he extended his hand to wel- 
come me. You have already had a full descrip- 
tion of him, and of his character, in one of my 
former letters, and need not be told that it was the 
son of your friend. At the threshold, Martha, 
the eldest sister, met me, but with more cere- 
mony, and made an apology for receiving into so 
lowly a dwelling the rich heiress of Alexandria, 
as she termed me; but I embraced her so affec- 
tionately, that this feeling passed away instantly. 
I was much struck with this whole family. Each 
member of it possessed attractions of a peculiar 
kind; and in all three I seemed to have found two 
sisters and a brother. Martha busied herself at 
once to prepare refreshments for us, and soon set 
before us a frugal but agreeable repast, more 
than we desired ; for we all insisted that we 
needed nothing, as we had not been long in the 
sadle. Mary, in the meantime, and Lazarus, sat 
on either side of me, and asked me many ques- 
tions about Alexandria, and particularly if I had 
ever seen their father’s tomb. And when I told 
them that at my father’s request I had kept the 
flowers fresh about it, they both pressed 
hands and thanked me so gratefully, that tears in 
my own eyes answered to the tears in theirs. 

EIow shall I describe to you the loveliness of 


114 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


the person of Mary, and yet not so much the per- 
fection of feature as the soul which animates 
them, and lends them a charm that I cannot ade- 
quately convey to you? Her eyes are of that re- 
markable color so seldom seen among our peo- 
ple, and when it is, is of a richer and more ceru- 
lean tone than is found in the azure-eyed natives 
of the north. They are as blue as the skies of 
Judea, and yet possess all the starry, torrid splen- 
dor of the eyes of the Hebrew maids. Her hair^ 
which is a soft, golden brown, is worn knotted in 
wavy masses about her superbly moulded neck. 
Her air is serene and confiding, and she has so 
little art that she lets you read all the secrets of 
her pure soul in the summer heaven of the sweet 
eyes I have spoken of. There is an indescribable 
pensiveness about her that is most touching, and 
at the same time pleasing. 

Martha, the oldest, is of a more lively dispo- 
sition, yet more commanding in her aspect, be- 
ing taller, and almost queenly. Her eyes and 
hair are jet black; the former mild, and beaming 
with intelligence, like those of her brother 
Lazarus, whom she resembles. She has a win- 
ning voice and a manner that leads you to feel 
strong confidence in her friendship. She seemed 
to take the whole management of our entertain- 
ment upon herself, which the quieter Mary left to 
her, as if a matter of course, preferring rather to 
talk with me about the land of Egypt, where our 
fathers were so long in bondage, and about 
which all our young people in Judea have such 
awful ideas. Mary asked me if I was not afraid 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 115 


to dwell there? if I ever saw the tomb of the 
Pharaohs? and if the seventy pyramids of the 
Nilus were not the work of our forefathers? 
Lazarus conversed chiefly with Rabbi Amos, who 
questioned him with much interest about the 
prophet John of the wilderness, to whom, you 
will remember, I wrote you Lazarus had paid a 
A’isit. After our repast, Martha showed me three 
beautiful bands of embroidery, which she was 
Avorking for the new veil of the Temple to be 
put up next year; for the sisters live by working 
needle- work for the Temple, and Lazarus makes 
copies of the Law and Psalms for the priests. He 
showed me his copying-table, and the rolls upon 
it, some partly done, some quite complete. He 
also showed me a copy of the book of Isaiah, 
Avhich he had just finished, and which had occu- 
pied him one hundred and seven days. It was 
exquisitely executed. Another incomplete copy 
Avas thrown aside, and was destined to be burned, 
because he had made a mistake in forming one 
letter; for if an iota be added too much, the work 
is condemned and burned, so strict are the 
priests that perfect and immaculate copies of the 
Law, and none others, shall exist. Mary, also, 
showed me a beautifully embroidered foot-tablet, 
Avhich the wife of Pilate, when she was last from 
Cesarea, ordered for herself. 

“I shall not receiA^e coin for it,” said Mary, 
"‘but present it to her; for she has ever been very 
kind to us; and when, last year, she and the Pro- 
curator Pilate, her lord, came up from Cesarea to 
Jerusalem, about the time of the Passover, she 


116 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

sent her own household physician to heal Laz- 
arus, who was taken sick from over-much con- 
finement to his tasks. She knew us only by in- 
quiring who it was who worked the embroider- 
ing of the altar mantles, which she had much 
admired.’’ 

Seeing upon the table a richly worked book- 
cover of silk and velvet, wdth the letters “I. N.” 
embroidered in olive leaves upon it, I asked her 
if that, it being so elegant, was not for the High 
Priest? 

''No,” answered Martha, with brightening 
eyes, speaking before her sister could reply, "that 
is for our friend, and the friend and brother of 
Lazarus.” 

"What is his name?” I asked. 

"Jesus, of Nazareth.” 

"I have heard John speak of him,” said my 
cousin Mary, with animation, and appealing to 
me, reminded me how John had repeated what 
Lazarus had spoken to him of his friend from 
Nazareth, which I have written to you. "I should 
feel happy,” added my cousin, "to know him 
also.” 

"And from what I have heard of him,” said I, 
"it would be, indeed, a pleasure to see him.” 

The two sisters listened to us with pleasure, 
and Martha said: 

"If you had been here a few days ago, you 
Avould have- seen him. He left us, after being 
with us three weeks, to go to Nazareth again. 
But he requested to meet Lazarus at Bethabara, 
on the third day from this, for some important 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


117 


reason ; and my brother will go, for he loves him 
so that he would cross the seas to meet him.” 

'‘Then,” said Rabbi Amos to Lazarus, "if you 
are to journey so soon towards Jordan to meet 
your friend, you had best join our company, and 
share our escort.” To this Lazarus, after some 
consultation with his sisters, consented. 

What a happy family, thought I, is this! The 
sisters happy in each other’s love, the brother 
happy in theirs, all three united as one in the 
purest affection, and yet a fourth is added to the 
circle, whose love for the three is equal to theirs 
for him! Humble in station, poor, and depen- 
dent upon the labor of their hands for their daily 
bread, yet their household is one that kings 
might envy, and which no gold or jewels could 
purchase. 

I left this blessed abode of fraternal friendship 
with regret, and felt that I should be perfectly 
happy if I could be admitted as a fifth link in the 
wreath of their mutual love. Even the Roman 
Centurion had been struck with the air of peace- 
ful repose reigning there, and spoke of it to me 
as we rode away. 

About noon we stopped at a caravansera, half 
the way to Jericho from Bethany. Llere we 
overtook a friend of Rabbi Amos, the venerable 
and learned scholar and lawyer, Gamaliel. He 
was, he confessed, also riding to Jordan, to have 
an interview with the prophet, being persuaded 
to seek it on account of an extraordinary dream 
he had, which he repeated to his friend Rabbi 
Amos, but not in our hearing; but the effect 


118 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

Upon my uncle excited a good deal of my curi- 
osity to know what it was, but he has been studi- 
ously silent upon the subject. Accompanying 
the lawyer, Gamaliel, was a young man who was 
his disciple, and who went with him as a com- 
panion by the way. His name is Saul; and I 
noticed him particularly, because I overheard the 
venerable lawyer say that he was the most re- 
markable young man who had ever sat at his feet 
to learn the mysteries of the law. This young 
law-disciple and Lazarus rode together, and 
talked long and earnestly by the way, the former 
thinking that nothing but mischief would come 
of the new prophet's preaching, while the latter 
warmly defended him and his mission as divine. 
To their conversation the Roman Centurion lis- 
tened with the closest attention, for Saul was 
learned in the Prophets, and drew richly from its 
stores to prove that the true Messias can never 
be heralded by so mean a messenger as this 
preacher of repentance in the wilderness. Saul 
eloquently drew a gorgeous picture of Messias^ 
coming, and the splendor of his reign, and that 
angels and heavenly signs, and not a wild man of 
the wilderness, with water baptism, should pre- 
pare the way before him. 

At length, as the day closed, we came in sight 
of the walls and towers of Jericho, but succeeded 
in reaching the gates only after they were closed. 
But the presence of the young Centurion caused 
them to be immediately reopened, and we were 
admitted, with some hundreds, who, having 
reached the gate after it was shut, now begged 


THE PKINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 119 


and received permission to enter in our com- 
pany. 

The next day we proceeded'to Gilgal alone, the 
road being perfectly safe, the courteous Roman 
having early the same morning issued from the 
gates, in haste to pursue the famous Barabbas, 
who had the last night attacked a caravan within 
four leagues of Jordan, and taken much booty, as 
well as slain many men. 

‘T now write to thee beneath the roof of the 
summer residence of Rabbi Amos. To-morrow, 
early,’" says a passage which I copy from my 
journal, written there, “we are going to Betha- 
bara, a little village beyond Jordan, but on its 
banks, near which we learn John is now bap- 
tizing, he being no longer at the ford of Jordan, 
where my cousin Mary’s betrothed, John, found 
him, and was baptized of him a few weeks ago. 
Lazarus has gone on with Saul, and the learned 
Gamaliel, with many lawyers and doctors in 
company, who desire to see and hear this prophet 
of the wilderness.” 

Indeed, dear father, the advent of a prophet is 
of so rare an occurrence among us, that the bare 
idea that John the Baptizer may be a true 
prophet of God, has moved the great heart of 
Israel, and stirred up curiosity, hope, and marvel, 
in the highest degree ever known in the land. 
There seems to be but one subject, and but one 
thought. Every man says to his neighbor: 
“Have you seen or heard the new prophet? Is 
he Messias, or is he Elias?” 

My next letter will give you a narration, my 


120 THE PKINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


dear father, of what I witnessed at Bathabara, 
and will, perhaps, more deeply interest you than 
anything I have yet* written. 

That the hope of Israel may not be long de- 
ferred, and that we may receive the Messias, 
when he cometh, in humble faith, in honor, and 
in love, is the prayer of 

Your affectionate daughter, 

ADINA. 


LETTER IX. 


My Dear Father: — In these letters to you 
which give an account of my excursion with 
Rabbi Amos to the Jordan, I hope you will par- 
don the details which I enter into, for it is my 
earnest desire that you should see everything 
with my eyes, as if you had been present with 
me; in order that you may, though absent, be 
able to judge as if you had been an eye-witness of 
the remarkable events of which I have under- 
taken to give you a complete history. I know 
that your liberal mind, and your sense of equity 
and justice, will lead you to read all I have to 
write before you take upon you to make a reply 
to the facts which, with filial love and reverence, 
I present to your consideration. 

After Rabbi Amos had reached the house in 
the wheatfields of Gilgal, where he intended to 
take up his sojourn for the two weeks of harvest, 
and had directed his servants what to do, he 
kindly told us that he was ready to accompany 


122 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


my cousin Mary and myself to the Jordan, to hear 
the prophet. It was with no little gratification, 
therefore, that my cousin and myself once more 
mounted our mules, and proceeded towards the 
place where we heard the prophet was baptizing. 
But we had not ridden a great way from the 
house when we overtook two men on foot, with 
staves in their hands and wallets upon their 
shoulders. As we passed, one of them raised 
his cap with respect to Rabbi Amos, who, from 
his rank as a priest, and his venerable appear- 
ance, always commands the homage of all men. 

“Whither goest thou at such a pace, friend 
Matthew?’^ said Rabbi Amos, returning his 
salute, for he seemed to know him. “Canst 
thou leave thy tax-gathering these busy times to 
go into the wilderness?’’ 

The person, who was a man of stout figure, 
with dark hair and beard, and a look of intelli- 
gence, but whose costume was plain and ill- 
worn, smiled, and answered: 

“If a man would find the payers of tribute 
now-a-days, good master, he must not stay at 
home, forsooth, but go into the wilderness of 
Jordan where all men have gone. Verily, this 
new prophet emptieth our towns, and we publi- 
cans must remain idle in our seat of customs, or 
go with the tide.” 

“Thy words are near the truth, friend Mat- 
thew,” answered my uncle; “but hast thou no 
other motive in thy heart than looking after thy 
Roman coins, in taking this journey from 
Jericho?” 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 123 


. have curiosity to see a man whom multi- 
tudes resort to from Galilee, and from Decapolis, 
and from Jerusalem, and from all Judea, and 
from beyond Jordan.’’ 

‘^And thinkest thou,” continued my uncle, as 
the two men walked along by the side of his 
mule, '‘thinkest thou this prophet is a true son of 
the prophets?” 

He works no miracles, unless, indeed, the 
power of his preaching be a miracle,” answered 
Matthew. 

"This man is an imposter. There can be no 
prophet unless he proves his mission by mira- 
cles,” suddenly said the companion of Matthew, 
speaking up abruptly in a sharp and unpleasing 
voice. Now neither Mary nor I liked the face of 
this man from the first. He was of good height, 
he was well-featured, and his attire w^as rich ; but 
he had a haughty air, combined with a cringing 
deference to Rabbi Amos, that made me think he 
must be a hypocrite. He smiled with his mouth 
and teeth, but at the same time looked sinister 
out of his eyes. He had an air of humility which 
seemed to me to be put on to conceal the pride 
and wickedness of his character. He looked like 
a man who could artfully deceive to gain his sel- 
fish ends, and who would kneel to you to over- 
turn you. The sound of his voice confirmed my 
first impression of him. Upon his speaking. 
Rabbi Amos fixed his eyes upon him, as if he did 
not like the manner of his breaking in upon the 
conversation, and then mildly replied: 

"Moses performed no miracles. Aaron, or 


124 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


Aaron’s rod was the instrument whereby these 
were done before Pharaoh. This prophet may 
be as Aaron to the great Prophet he foretelleth. 
What is thy companion’s name, friend Mat- 
thew?” he asked, aside, as the other walked on 
ahead. 

'‘His name is Judas, called Iscariot. He hath 
been engaged by me to bear the moneys I col- 
lect in the country villages; and as we are to 
gather taxes both at Gilgal and Bethabara, he 
cometh with me.” 

We now came in sight of the Jordan, but could 
discover no crowd upon its banks. While we 
were wondering at not beholding any signs of 
the multitude, we met a stranger who was riding 
a horse, and coming from the northward, who, 
seeing us apparently in perplexity, inquired with 
courtesy, if we were not seeking John the proph- 
et. Upon Rabbi Amos replying in the affirma- 
tive, the horseman informed us that he had re- 
moved up the river, some two hours’ ride, and 
was then baptizing at the little village of Betha- 
bara, on the east bank of Jordan; and he added, 
that not less than eight thousand people must be 
thronging the shore. 

"Dost thou know this stranger?” asked of^ 
Matthew Rabbi Amos, who had gratefully 
thanked him for his intelligence, looking back 
after him, as he rode on. "I saw thee salute 
him.” 

"He is an officer of Herod the Tetrarch’s 
household,” was the response, "a Hebrew of 
great wealth, and he payeth more tribute-money 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 125 


to the emperor from his lands than any Israelite 
between Jericho and Jerusalem.’’ 

At length, dear father, after hastening the 
speed of our mules, and riding pleasantly for two 
hours along the verdant banks of Jordan, we 
came in sight of a square tower of stone, peering 
above the trees, which marked the site of the 
village of Bethabara. ''That tower,” said Rabbi 
Amos, "stands over a cave in which Elijah long 
dwelt, and in which Isaiah at one time concealed 
himself from his enemies. It is now called the 
'Tower of Elijah.’ From the summit of yonder 
hill, at the left, the prophet was caught up, and 
ascended to heaven upon the chariot of fire; and 
near where you see the single rock, Elisha 
divided Jordan, with the fallen mantle left him 
by the ascending prophet of God.” 

All these places, with many others, which the 
intelligent Rabbi Amos pointed out to us, were 
very interesting to me, for nothing commands 
my atention so profoundly as allusions to the 
scenes of the olden days of the prophets and 
kings of Israel. While my eyes were fixed upon 
the hill, and my imagination presented to me 
Elijah upon the chariot of heaven, disappearing 
amid the clouds, there was an opening in the 
wood before us, and all at once we beheld a 
scene that made my heart cease to beat, it was 
so new and wonderful. At that place the river 
takes a broad curve, and the opposite village of 
Bethabara lies in the hollow of it, forming the 
centre of half a circle. This wide curving shore 
was alive with the human heads that filled it. 


126 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

Not a place could be seen whefe some one did 
not stand. And of this vast multitude every eye 
was concentrated upon the prophet, as from the 
crescent tiers of the amphitheatre in Alexandria, 
all gaze at once upon the scenes passing in the 
arena. He was standing upon the opposite shore 
(for Jordan here was very narrow, and can be 
forded), on the verge of the water, addressing the 
countless assembly that stood opposite and half 
encircling him. Near him, behind, and on either 
side, sat his disciples, at least a hundred in num- 
ber, chiefly young men. Behind, rose the Tower 
of Elijah, and receding farther from the shore lay 
the sweet village of Bethabara, with its green 
gardens and snow-white walls. 

The clear voice of the youthful prophet of the 
wilderness fell distinctly on our ears, so great 
w^as the stillness of the vast audience. We could 
not approach very near on our mules, and, dis- 
mounting on the outskirts of the throng, we left 
them with the two servants, and on foot drew as 
near to the place where the prophet stood as we 
could. Many of the people, seeing and recog- 
nizing Rabbi Amos, made way for him, so that 
at length we stood directly opposite the speaker, 
with a full view of him, so that we could hear 
every word. To my surprise, I saw John, the 
cousin of Mary, standing close to the prophet, 
and listening with the deepest and most reverent 
attention to every word he uttered. The subject 
of the prophet’s discourse was as before, and as 
always, the coming of the Messias. Oh, that I 


THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 127 


could give you, my dear father, the faintest idea 
of the power and eloquence of his words ! 

‘‘There is no remission of sin without shedding 
of blood,’’ he said earnestly. “The baptism of 
water with which I baptize you is unto repent- 
ance; but there must be blood outpoured ere sin 
can be washed away! Do you ask me if the 
blood of bulls and goats take not away sin? I 
answer and say unto you, that the Lord hath said 
that he delighteth not in these rivers of blood.’’ 

“For what, then, great prophet,” asked one of 
the chief Levites who stood near us, “For what, 
then, are the sacrifices ordained by the Law of 
Moses? For what, then, the altar and the 
Temple, and the daily sacrifice of the Lamb?” 

“For what,” repeated the prophet, with his 
eyes beaming with the earnest light of inspira- 
tion, “Fbr what, but as types and shadows of the 
true blood — of the real and true sacrifice 
appointed by God from the foundation of the 
world! Think ye I can slay the lamb of my 
flock for the sin of my soul? If God demands 
thy life, shall he accept the life of a brute? Nay, 
men of Israel, the day has come when your eyes 
shall be opened. The hour is at hand when the 
true meaning of the daily sacrifice shall be under- 
stood. Lo! the Messiah cometh, and ye shall 
see and believe!” 

There now came several persons towards him 
who desired baptism. While he was baptizing 
these persons, both men and women, I saw 
appear on the little mound near the tower from 
which Rabbi Amos had said Elijah ascended, 


128 THE PKINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

Lazarus, the brother of Martha, accompanied 
by a man of about his own years, of an indescrib- 
able dignity and grace of aspect, combined with 
an air of benevolence and peace that at once 
attracted me. 

‘dt must be the friend of Lazarus,’’ said Mary 
to me; for she had discovered them at the same 
time. ‘‘See with what calm serenity he gazes 
upon the multitude, yet retiring in his manner, 
as if he shrank from the common eye!” He was 
wrapped in a vesture of dark blue cloth, which 
was folded about his form; his head was bare, 
and his da-rk hair flowed down about his should- 
ers. He seemed so unlike all other men, in a 
certain majesty united with sweetness, that 
marked his whole air, that I could not withdraw 
my gaze from him. 

The prophet, at the same moment, rested his 
eyes upon him, and as he did so, I saw a change 
come over his face, as if he had seen an angel. 
His eyes shone with unearthly brilliancy, his lips 
parted as if he would speak, yet had lost the 
power; and then, with his right hand stretched 
forth towards the noble stranger, he stood for a 
moment like a statue. All eyes followed his, and 
the direction of his stretched-out arm. Sud- 
denly, he exclaimed, and oh, how like the 
trumpet of Horeb his voice rung: 

“Behold!” 

There was not a face in that vast multitude 
that was not directed towards the little eminence, 
where Lazarus, evidently amazed at the attitude 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF HAVID. 129 


and words of the prophet, and the gaze of all 
that way, stood by his friend. 

“Ye have asked wherefore is slain the daily 
lamb,’’ contiiuied the prophet. “The day has 
come when the lamb of sacrifice, which can take 
away no sin, shall cease. Behold!” and here he 
stretched forth both arms towards the dignified 
stranger: “Behold the Lamb of God which 
taketh away the sins of the world. He it is who,, 
coming after me, is preferred before me. He it 
is to whom I bear witness, as the Messiah, the 
Son of the Highest! There stand's the Christ of 
God! Behold the only true Lamb, whose blood 
can wash away the iniquities of us all! He hath 
stood among you — He hath walked your streets 
— He hath sat in your homes, and I knew him 
not, till I now behold above Him the sign of the 
Messiah, and, therefore, know I that it is He 
who is to redeem Israel!” 

When the prophet had thus spoken in a voice 
that thrilled to every bosom, we beheld the 
august stranger advance towards the prophet. 
He moved on alone. Lazarus had fallen pros- 
trate on his face when he heard that it was the 
Messiah with whom he had thus been on terms 
of friendship. As he continued to come for- 
ward, all was expectation in the immense multi- 
tude. The mass of heads swayed this way and 
that, to get a sight of his face, which I could see 
v/as serene, but pale and earnest. John, the 
cousin of Mary, seeing him approach, lowly 
knelt, and bowed his head in reverential awe and 
love. Those who stood between him and the 


130 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

prophet moved apart, and left an open path for 
him to the water-side. He walked at a slow and 
even pace, with an air of humility, veiling the 
native dignity of his kingly port. 

The prophet, on seeing him come near, 
regarded Him, as it seemed to me, with more 
awe than all others. 

''What wouldst thou of thy servant, oh, 
Messiah, Prophet of God, mighty to save?'’ he 
said, in tremulous tones, as the Messlaii came 
even some paces into the water towards him. 

"To be baptized of thee," answered the Christ, 
in a still, quiet voice, that was heard to the re- 
motest bounds of the crowd. Never, oh, never 
shall I forget the sounds of that voice, as it fell 
upon my ears! 

'T have need to be baptized of Thee, and 
comest Thou to me?" answered the prophet, with 
the lowliest humility and awe of manner, and 
with looks expressive of his amazement. 

"It becometh us to fulfil all righteousness," 
answ^ered Messiah, mildly; and when He had said 
this, the prophet, though still with a manner of 
doubt, and with the holiest reverence, adminis- 
tered unto Him, in the sight of all the people, 
the same baptism which he had administered to 
his disciples. 

And now, my dear father, comes to be related, 
the most extraordinary thing that ever took 
place in Israel, and before human eyes, and 
which it must be clear to you bears unquestion- 
able testimony, that Jesus of Nazareth, the noble 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 131 


Stranger baptized in Jordan, and to whom John 
bore witness, is truly Messias, the Son of God. 

No sooner did the baptized stranger go up out 
of the water, than there was heard above all our 
heads a noise of rolling thunder, although the 
sky was cloudless; and when we looked up we 
beheld a dazzling light, though it was noon-day, 
brighter than the sun; and from the midst of this 
celestial splendor there darted with arrowy 
velocity a ray of light, which descended upon the 
head of the Christ. Some of the people said it 
thundered; and others that it lightened; but 
judge the amazement and admiration of all, and 
the dread awe that shook every soul, when, amid 
the glory above his head, was seen the form of a 
dove of fire, with outspread wings overshadow- 
ing Him as it were, and from the heavens, what 
was supposed to be thunder, shaped itself into the 
voice of God, which uttered these words in the 
hearing of every ear: 

'‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well 
pleased. Hear ye Him.” 

At hearing these words, a great part of the 
multitude fell on their faces. Every cheek was 
pale, and each man gazed on his neighbor in 
wonder and fear. When the majestic, yet ter- 
rible voice had given utterance to these words, 
the light disappeared, the dove reascended to 
the skies, and was lost to the sight; and Messias, 
who alone seemed unmoved and calm amid all 
this awful scene, went up from the river, and dis- 
appeared suddenly from my earnest gaze. At 
length, when men came a little to themselves. 


132 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

and would gaze on Him whom all knew now to 
be the Christ, no one could find Him, so effectu- 
ally had he withdrawn himself from their 
homage. 

Your affectionate 

ADINA. 


LETTER X. 


My Dear Father: — I will commence this letter 
by asking your dispassionate perusal of my pre- 
ceding epistle, and entreating you not to let any 
prejudice unworthy of the wisdom and liberality 
by which you are distinguished among men, lead 
you to reject, without examination, belief of the 
events which have formed the subject of my 
recent letters to you, and to close your mind to 
the convictions to which they may give rise. 
Please, my honored and beloved father, please to 
consider impartially the things of which I have 
written, the preaching of John, and his baptism 
of Jesus, whom, before ten thousand people, he 
declared to be Messias, to whom he bore 
witness, and how the voice of God, as audible in 
the ears of all as that which shook Horeb, pro- 
claimed from heaven that he was ‘^His beloved 
son!” Think of all this, and ask yourself seri- 
ously, ^Ts not this the Christ?” 

This question need not pass far on its way ere 


134 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


it finds a response from my lips and heart: 
"'Yes, it is the Christ, and I will believe in Him!’’ 

I can see your face, my dear father, change its 
expression of mild benignity, as you read this 
confession from my pen! I can see you look 
both displeased and grieved. But you have no 
reason to fear that I shall do or believe aught 
lliat will bring shame on your gray hairs, or your 
name. If thou art a Jew, and proud of being 
descended from the lineage of the Patriarchs 
who walked with the Lord, I am also equally 
proud of my nation and of my faith. In believ- 
ing Jesus of Nazareth to be the Messias of God, 
I do not make myself less a Jewess; but, with- 
out believing it, my dear father, I could not be 
completely a Jewess. Has not the Messias of 
our nation been the burden of Judah’s prayer, 
and of Israel’s hope, for ages? Does not the 
belief that Messias cometh, constitute one of 
the great characteristics of the Jewish race? Do 
the Gentiles look for the Christ? If not, then, 
and we alone look for him, and every mother in 
Israel hopes, tremblingly, with joy and doubt, 
that he may be found in her first-born son, is it 
that I am less a Jewess, or rather, that I am only 
a true Jewess, when I believe Jesus to be the 
Messias, seeing in Him all that a Messias could 
bring, even the voice of God, in testimony of His 
Mission? But I sincerely trust, my dear father, 
that I am defending my belief unnecessarily, and 
that when you come to read and compare, and 
examine well, you will rejoice with me that God 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 135 


has remembered Israel, and that He is about to 
take away her reproach among the nations. 

I shall wait for your next parcel of letters with 
the deepest solicitude, in order that I may know 
what your decision is in reference to these extra- 
ordinary things which are coming to pass. Y ou 
will not hear them only from my letters, dear 
father, for the report of these wonders is broad- 
cast over the land, and men who witnessed the 
baptism of Jesus, will, no doubt, report in Egypt 
what then took place, especially the voice of God 
rolling like articulate thunder along the cloud- 
less sky, and the descent of the fiery dove upon 
the head of the new Prophet. Merchants of 
Damascus and of Cairo were present, leaving 
their trains of camels a little way ofl; and Arab 
horsemen sat in their saddles on the outside of 
the crowd; while Roman soldiers, strangers from 
Persia and Edom, and even the merchants from 
Media, with numerous people, Gentiles, as well 
as Jews, were seen mingled with the multitude. 
This thing, therefore, was not done in a corner. 
The voice I plainly heard, and understood every 
word! It seemed to me to come from the far 
blue depths of Heaven, at an immeasurable dis- 
tance, but with the clearness of a trumpet, and 
the sonorous majesty of thunder. But the light 
which descended was the most dazzling that 
human eyes ever encountered; and though when 
descending with the velocity of lightning, it 
seemed like a lance of fire; yet, upon reaching 
the bared head of Jesus, as He came forth out of 
the water, it assumed, as I before stated, the 


136 TPIE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

shape of a dove; and, resting upon Him, over- 
shadowed Him with its wings of light, and cast 
over his whole person a glittering splendor, like 
the sun. This lasted for full a minute, so that all 
eyes beheld it, and then came the voice from 
heaven! The brilliancy of the light from the 
dove was so resplendent that I could not behold 
it; and when I looked again it had disappeared; 
but a halo of softened lustre shone still around 
the head of Jesus, and his face, like that of 
Moses, emitted rays of glory. While thousands 
cither stood stupefied, or fell upon their faces in 
adoration and fear. He withdrew himself from 
the multitude, no one knew how, save two per- 
sons, whose eyes never wander from him. These 
were the cousin of Mary, John, and Lazarus, the 
brother of Mary and Martha. 

The people, after recovering a little from their 
amazement and awe, were looking for Him, and 
inquiring whither he had gone, some gazing into 
the water, some towards the wilderness, some 
even gazing upwards into heaven, of which I was 
one, as if they expected to behold Him ascending 
upon a chariot of dazzling clouds towards the 
throne of his God and Father, who had acknow- 
ledged Him to be his Son. The general impres- 
sion was, that He was taken up into Heaven; 
and some wept that a Prophet was sent to be 
taken so soon; while others rejoiced that 
the Lord had not forgotten to be gracious unto 
the house of Israel; some doubted, and called it 
magic and sorcery; and others, who were doubt- 
less filled with their own wickedness, mocked. 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


137 


and said the voice was thunder, and the light 
lightning. But here they were disputed against, 
for said hundreds, “There is no cloud in the sky, 
then whence could come thunder and light- 
ning ?"'* But the majority believed, and greatly 
rejoiced at what they had seen and heard. The 
prophet John, of Jordan, appeared to me to be 
more surprised at what had taken place than any 
others. He looked constantly around for Jesus, 
and then, with his hands clasped together and 
uplifted, gazed heavenward, as if satisfied, with 
the thousands around him, that he had been re- 
ceived up into Heaven. 

The excitement which the sudden disappear- 
ance of Jesus produced, led to a universal sepa- 
ration of the multitude, who dispersed in all 
directions, some to seek for Him, some to spread 
the news of what they had seen, and all forget- 
ting John, whom they had hitherto followed, in 
the greater splendor of the new Prophet, whose 
advent had been so remarkably accompanied by 
fire and voice from the sky. 

Rabbi Amos and our party remained stand- 
ing near the water, for he did not wish us to be 
lost in the retiring throngs, and he desired to 
speak with John, who stood alone in the midst 
of the water, precisely where he had baptized 
Jesus. Not one of his disciples remained with 
him. Rabbi Amos drew near, and said to him: 

“Holy prophet, knowest thou what man, if 
man he may be called, was just baptized by 
thee?’’ 

The prophet, whose eyes had been steadfastly 


138 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


raised ail the while, bent his looks with tearful 
tenderness upon Rabbi Amos, and said, plain- 
tively and touchingly : 

^'This is He of whom I said — After me comcth 
a man which is preferred before me, for He was 
before me. And I knew Him not; but He that 
sent me, to baptize with water, the same said 
unto me. Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit 
descending and remaining on Him, the same is 
He that baptizes with the Holy Ghost. And I 
saw the Spirit descending like a dove, and I saw 
and bear record this is the Son of God!’’ 

''And whither, oh, holy prophet of Jordan,’^ 
asked Rabbi Amos, with deep and sacred inter- 
est, "whither has He departed?” 

'‘That I know' not! He must increase and I 
must decrease, whether He remaineth on earth, 
or be taken up into Heaven! My mission is now 
drawing to its close: for He to whom I have 
borne wdtness is come.” 

"And is He come to depart so soon forever?” 
I asked, with deep interest; "shall we behold 
Him no more?” 

"The hidden things belong to God. I know 
not whence He came, for I knew Him not until 
the Spirit descendeth and abode upon Him, nor 
whither He goeth. Ye have heard my testi- 
mony that this is the Messias, the Christ, the Son 
of God!” 

Thus speaking, he turned and walked out of 
the water, on the side towards Bethabara, and 
disappeared among the trees that fringed the 
bank. I now" looked in the face of Rabbi Amos, 


THE FKINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


139 


upon whose arm Mary was tearfully leaning, still 
under the influence of the terror which the scenes 
she had been a spectator of, had produced in her 
soul. His face was grave and thoughtful. I 
said, ''Uncle, dost thou believe all that thou hast 
seen and heard?’’ 

9 “I know not what to say,” he answered, "only 
that the things which I have beheld this day are 
evidences that God has not forgotten his people 
Israel!” He said no more. We left the banks 
of the Jordan in silence and awe, and remounting 
our mules, which the tw^o Gibeonite slaves held 
for us in w-aiting, under a palm tree not far off, 
we returned towards my uncle’s house at Gilgal. 
On the way, wx constantly passed crowds of 
people who wxre riding and walking; and all 
were in high talk about what had taken place at 
the river. The impression seemed to be that 
Jesus had gone up into Heaven. 

But, my dear father, it is with deep joy that I 
am able to tell you that this wonderful person is 
still on the earth, and doubtless permitted to 
remain for some great purpose. I stated that 
my cousin John, and Lazarus, the Secretary of 
tlie Scribes, had kept their eyes upon Him from 
the first, and that they had seen Him pass down 
the river, where some projecting and overhang- 
ing trees hid Him at once from view. Though 
they often lost sight of Him, they yet followed 
Plim by the print of His sandals in the wet sand 
of the shore; and at length came in view of Him, 
as He was leaving the river bank, and going 
towards the desert, between two hills, which hid 


140 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


liim from their eyes. But one of the young 
men said to the other, while both were burning 
with wonder and love: 

'‘Let us not fail to overtake Him, and follow 
Him, whithersoever He goeth; for with Him 
must be the well of life, as He is the highly 
favored of God.'’ 

So they went on; but though they moved on 
rapidly, they next saw Him far distant, crossing 
the arid plain that stretches south towards 
Jericho and the desert. They ran very swiftly, 
and at length overtook Him, calling “Master, 
good master, stay for us, for we would follow and 
learn of thee!" 

He stopped, and turned upon them a look so 
pale, and marred wdth sadness and anguish, that 
they both stood still and gazed on Him with 
amazement at such a change. The glory of his 
beauty had passed away, and the beaming splen- 
dor which shone from his countenance was 
'wholly gone. The expression of unutterable 
sorrow that remained, pierced them to the heart. 
Lazarus, who had been so long his bosom friend, 
wept aloud. “Weep not, thou shalt see me 
another day, my friends," he said. “I go now to 
the wilderness in obedience to the Spirit which 
guideth me thither. Thou shalt, after a time, 
behold me again. It is expedient that I go 
wdiither I go." 

“Nay, but we will go with thee," said Lazarus, 
earnestly. “If thou art to endure evil, we will be 
with thee." 

“There must be none to help. There must 












THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 141 


be none to uphold/’ He said firmly, but sadly. 
“I must tread the wine-press of temptation 
alone !” 

He then left them, waving his hand for them to 
go back, which they did sorrowfully, wondering 
what his words meant, and wherefore it was 
needful for Him to go into the desert, where cer- 
tain mysterious trials seemed to wait for Him; 
and they wondered most of all at the change in 
his countenance, which from being lustrous with 
celestial light, was now, said Lazarus, “marred 
more than the sons of men.” From time to time 
the two young men looked backward to watch 
the receding figure of the Christ, till they no 
longer distinguished Him in the distance of the 
desert, towards which He steadfastly kept his 
face. 

The two friends then came to the house of 
Rabbi Amos, at Gilgal, the same night, and there 
Lazarus made known to us what I had just re- 
lated. It affected us all deeply; and we sat 
together late at night upon the porch under the 
fig trees, talking of Jesus, and the things that had 
transpired concerning Him that day; and though 
we all rejoiced that He was on earth, we wept to 
think that He was driven by some destiny un- 
known and unfathomable by us, to dwell alone in 
the wilderness. 

Now, my dear father, how wonderful is all 
this! That a great Prophet is among us cannot 
be denied. The sun of John the Baptizer’s fame 
dwindles into a star before this Son of God! 
That He will draw all men unto Him, even into 


142 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

the wilderness, if He takes up His abode there, 
cannot be questioned. But all is mystery, awe, 
curiosity, wonder, and excitement just now. No 
one has settled upon any opinion as to what will 
be the end of these things. Rabbi Amos advises 
ail persons to wait patiently the issue, for if God 
has sent a Prophet, He must have a mission 
which in due time He will come forth from the 
wilderness to deliver. ' In my next I may be able 
to write you something further touching the 
development of that which remains so much 
enveloped in mystery. May the God of our 
father’s house come forth indeed from the Heav- 
ens, for the salvation of His People. 

Your devoted and loving 


ADINA. 


LETTER XL 


My Dear Father: — In my last letter to you, I 
spoke of our return from Jordan, to Gilgal, to 
the country house in the wheat fields of Peniel, 
where Rabbi Amos sojourns during the two 
weeks of harvest. At the house were assembled, 
not only John, the cousin of Mary, and the noble 
Lazarus, but also Gamaliel, and Saul, his disciple, 
of whom I have before spoken, who were invited 
to partake of my uncle’s hospitality for the night; 
besides, the court of the dwelling was thronged 
with strangers, and the common people, who, 
being far fromi their homes, and without food, 
had freely been invited to lodgings and food by 
the hospitable priest. 

As we sat up late, conversing upon the re- 
markable events of the day, an observation made 
by John, when speaking of the change in the face 
of Jesus, that ^‘His visage was marred more than 
the sons of men,” led the venerable Gamaliel to 
say to us: 


144 THE PKINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


'Those are the words of Esaias, and are truly 
spoken of Messias, when He shall come.’’ 

"Let us consult Esaias, then, and see what 
further he hath said,” cried Rabbi Amos. "Mary, 
bring hither the roll of the Prophets.” 

My cousin Mary returned, and placed it on a 
small stand before him, for, as 1 said in my last, 
we were all seated in the porch, where the even- 
ing breeze was cool. A lamp then being 
brought, I held it above the roll of parchment, 
while my uncle found the part of the Prophet to 
which the words belonged. 

"Read aloud, worthy Rabbi,” said the philoso- 
pher Gamaliel, "we will all listen; for though I 
do not believe this young man who was to-day 
baptized is Messias and Christ, who is to restore 
all things to us, yet I am prepared to reverence 
Plim as a Prophet.” 

"And,” answered Rabbi Amos, "if we find the 
prophecies do meet in him which we look for to 
meet in Messias when He cometh, wilt thou be- 
lieve, venerable father?” 

"I will believe and reverently adore,” answered 
the sage, bowing his head till his flowing white 
beard touched his knees. 

"Read, Adina, for thy eyes are young,” said 
my uncle : and obedient, though embarrassed be- 
fore such an audience, I read as follows : 

"Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he 
shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. 
As many were astonished at thee. His visage was 
so marred more than any man, and His form 
more than the sons of men.” 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


145 


“How completely/' said John, “these words 
described his appearance on the verge of the 
desert." 

“But," said Saul, Gamaliel's disciple, “if this be 
prophesied of the Christ, then we are to have a 
Christ of dishonor, and not one of honor and 
glory. Read one part that you have omitted, 
and you will see that there are words that import 
a higher condition than that of this unknown 
person, whom John the Baptizer himself con- 
fessed he did not know, nor ever beheld before." 

1 read on, as follows: “Behold my servant shall 
be exalted and extolled, and be very high. He 
shall sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut 
their mouths at Him. He shall lift up his hand 
to the Gentiles, and set up his standard to the 
people. Kings shall bow down to Him with 
their faces to the earth, and lick up the dust of 
his feet!" 

“There! such is our Messias," exclaimed Saul. 

“Yes, it is a Christ of power and dominion who 
is to redeem Israel," added Gamaliel; “not an 
unknown young man, scarcely thirty years of 
age, who came from whence no one knoweth, 
and hath gone as he came. As for the Christ, 
we shall know whence He cometh!" 

At hearing this great and good man thus dis- 
course, dear father, my heart sank within me; for 
I could not but confess that these prophecies of 
honor could not apply to the humble person 
John had baptized; for Lazarus had already told 
us that his friend Jesus was of humble birth, a 
carpenters son, and his mother a widow; that he 


146 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


had known him from boyhood, but known him 
only to love him. I now looked towards him, 
but I took courage when I saw that the words of 
Gamaliel did not in the least dim the light of his 
faith and confidence, which sparkled in his eyes, 
that his friend Jesus was truly Messias of God. 
But my eye fell on what follows, and as I read it 
I gained more confidence: “He hath no form nor 
comeliness: and when we shall see him there is 
no beauty that we should desire him.’’ 

“If the first part of this prophecy,” said Laz- 
arus, his fine eyes lighting up, as he looked at 
Saul, “be of the Christ, as you have confessed, 
then is this last of him: and the fact that you 
reject him, is but the fulfilment of this part of the 
prophecy.” 

Hereupon arose a very warm discussion be- 
tween Gamaliel and Saul on one side, and Rabbi 
Amos, John, and Lazarus, on the other, the for- 
mer contending that the prophecies referred to 
two distinct Christs, one of whom was to be 
lowly and a sufferer, and the other honorable 
'"nd a conqueror; while the latter maintained, 
that the seemingl}^ opposite predictions^ referred 
to but one Christ in two different periods and 
circumstances of his life. 

“But let this be as it ^ay,” said John, after the 
arguments on both sides had been exhausted, 
“how will you, O Gamaliel, and you, Saul, get 
over the extraordinary voice and fiery appear- 
ance which distinguished the baptism?” 

“That must have been a phenomenon of na- 
ture, or done by the art of a Babylonish sorcerer. 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID, 147 


whom I saw in the multitude,” answered the 
philosopher. 

“Did you not hear the words?” asked Rabbi 
Amos. 

''Yes, Rabbi; nevertheless, they may have been 
thrown into the air from the lungs of the sor- 
cerer; for they do marvellous things. 

“Would you suppose that a sorcerer would be 
disposed to apply the sacred words of the Lord?” 
asked John, earnestly. 

“By no means,” he answered, reverently. 

“If Rabbi Amos will allow me, I will show you 
the very words in King David’s prophecies of 
Messias.” 

All looked with interest on John, as he took 
from his mantle a roll of the Psalms. He read 
as follows, looking at Gamaliel: 

“Why do the rulers take counsel together 
against the Lord, and against his anointed? I 
will declare the decree. The Lord hath said 
unto me, 'Thou art my son; this day have I be- 
gotten thee.’ ■” 

Upon hearing this read, Gamaliel was 
thoughtful. Rabbi Amos said: “Of a truth, we 
Jews believe these words were to be spoken to 
our Christ by the Lord Jehovah. Have we not 
heard this prophecy fulfilled this very day in our 
ears?” 

“It is extraordinary,” answered Gamaliel. “I 
will search the Scriptures when I reach Jerusa- 
lem. to see if these things be so.” 

“And the light in the form of a dove! Dost 


148 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


thou find an explanation for that?” asked Rabbi 
Amos. 

*'*No,” answered he; ''and I wdll withhold all 
further opinion for the present.” 

"It becomes you, O Gamaliel,” said Rabbi 
Amos, '*who art a father and teacher in Israel, to 
know whether these things be so, that thou 
mayest teach thy disciples.” 

"But,” said Saul, with some vehemence, "listen 
while I read some prophecies also.” And he un- 
rolled a book of the Prophets and read these 
words : 

"Thou Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be 
little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of 
thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be the 
Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been 
ever of old, from everlasting.” '‘Now, you will 
confess, Rabbi Amos,” he added, with a look of 
triumph, "that this refers to our expected Mes- 
sias.” 

"Without doubt,” answered my uncle — 
"but”— 

"Wait,” said Saul, "until I read you another 
prophecy: 'I have made a covenant with David, 
Thy seed will I establish forever, and build up 
thy throne to all generations. His seed shall en- 
dure forever, and his throne as the sun before 
me. Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that 
I will raise unto David a righteous branch.’ 
Now you will all admit, brethren, that these 
prophecies refer to Messias. He is, therefore, 
come of the lineage of David, and he is to be 
born in Bethlehem. Show me that this Jesus, 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


149 


the Nazarene, fulfils both conditions in his own 
person, and I will prepare to believe in him.'' 

This was said haughtily, and with the air of 
one who cannot be answered. 

But immediately Lazarus rose to his feet and 
said: “Although I did not before know of this 
prophecy, that Christ was to be born in Bethle- 
hem, yet I am overjoyed to find the fact respect- 
ing Jesus fulfills it. He was born in Bethlehem 
of Judah. This I have known some years; 
and — " 

Here, while my heart was bounding with joy, 
Gamiliel said sternly, “I thought this man was 
born in Nazareth?" 

“He has lived," answered Lazarus, in “Naza- 
reth from childhood only. During the days 
when Caesar Augustus issued a decree that ail the 
world should be taxed, his mother, and Joseph, 
her husband, went up to the city of David to be 
taxed, which is Bethlehem, and there Jesus was 
born, as I have often heard from her lips. But it 
is on the records in the proper office of the Tem- 
ple, and can be referred to there." 

“Admitting, then, that he was born in Bethle- 
hem," said Saul, who appeared to be much given 
to argument, “you have to prove his lineage from 
David's line." 

“Wherefore did his parents go to Bethlehem, 
David's city, unless they were of the royal line?" 
asked Rabbi Amos : “for none went to any other 
city to be taxed than that of their own family. 
The fact that they went there is strong evidence 
that they were of David's house. 


150 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

''Everyone born in the city of David/' re- 
marked Gamaliel, "is not of necessity of David’s 
house; but it is surprising if this Jesus was born 
in Bethlehem." 

"But may not his lineage be ascertained with- 
out a doubt from the records of the tribes, and 
of their families, kept by the command of the 
law in the Temple?" I asked of my uncle. 

"Without question. These books of the gen- 
erations of our people are to be relied on," he 
answered. 

"In fact," said Gamaliel, "they are kept with 
the greatest accuracy, and so ordained by God, 
for the very reason that when Messias cometh 
we may know whether he who claims to be such 
be of the house of David or no. I will examine 
the book of the Generations, and see if his 
mother and father come of the stock and seed of 
David." 

"And if you find that they do," asked John, 
with emotion, "can you doubt any longer 
whether Jesus be the Christ. Will not the fact 
of his being born in Bethlehem, and of the line- 
age of David, not to speak of the witness of 
God's own audible voice, heard by our ears this 
day — will not these facts lead you to believe that 
he is the Christ?" 

"They will prevent me from actually rejecting 
him," answered the cold philosopher. "But 
every child born in Bethlehem, and of the house 
of David, and there are many in Judah, fulfills, 
so far, the conditions of these two prophecies; 
they are not, therefore, Messias." 


THE IHHNCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


151 


‘'AVhat more can you ask for?’' asked Mary, 
with feeling, for she as strongly believed that 
Jesus was the Christ as I did, and she was pained 
by so many doubts, and such subtlety of objec- 
tion from those who were so learned in the 
Phrophets. But men reason and reason, while 
women simply believe. 

“Miracles?” answered the disciple of Gamaliel, 
and glancing at the face of his master 
inquiringly. 

“Yes, miracles,” answered the sage. “The 
Messiah is to heal the sick by a word, restore 
sight to the blind, cast out devils, and raise even 
the dead.” And here he desired Saul to read the 
particular prophecy giving the power of miracles 
to the Christ. 

“If he restore the blind and raise the dead, I 
will doubt no longer,” answered Saul. 

There was, at this moment, an interruption 
caused by a noisy dispute in the court among 
some of John the Baptist’s disciples, some of 
whom were disposed to acknowledge fully the 
superiority of Jesus; while others, still indulging 
the full fervor of their first conversion, stoutly 
contended for the transcendent greatness of him 
whom they regarded as their own Prophet. 
Rabbi Amos, as host, went out to put an end to 
these disputings, when Gamaliel retired to his 
chamber, and the conversation was not renewed. 

Thus, you see, my dear father, that even on 
the very day of these events by eye-witnesses 
themselves, there is much difference of opinion 
concerning who Jesus is; and, therefore, I do not 


152 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

expect you, wno are so remote from the scene, 
and who know them only by report, to believe all 
at once, as I myself do. Will you write me, and 
tell me what view you take of all this subject, and 
what can be brought from the Scriptures to 
prove that Messias has not yet come? 

The next morning, early, the people departed 
from the court where they had lodged; and when 
the sun w-as about an hour high, we also took 
saddle and rode to Jericho, where we passed the 
day with Miriam, the daughter of Joel, who was 
cousin to my mother. We found them in very 
great alTiiction, and they could not be comforted 
by any consolations which we could administer. 
It seems that her daughter Marah, or Mary, as 
they call her, had been so unfortunate, from her 
extraordinary beauty, as to attract the notice of 
ydimilius Lepidus, the Prefect of the Legion, who 
did honorably, though a Roman, and one of our 
conquerors, ask her in marriage of her parents. 
But they, being Hebrews, could not consent to 
such a union with a Gentile, and kept her with 
great strictness, so that he might never behold 
her again. But Marah, being very much 
devoted to the love of the noble Roman, and he 
being also attached to her, they met by strata- 
gem, and she fled with him to the town of Mag- 
dala, where he has a villa. She is, therefore, lost 
forever, to the faith of her fathers, by this simple 
liight with a Gentile lover, who, though he 
marry her according to the Roman laws, doth 
not make her an honorable wife according to our 
own. This event was the cause of our finding 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 153 


the house of Miriam a house of mourning. It 
has produced great indignation among the Jews 
against the Romans. Mary was, I am told, the 
most beautiful maiden of the tribe of Benjamin, 
with golden brown hair that flowed to her very 
feet, and she was beloved by all who knew her. 
Thus am I disappointed in seeing her, as I hoped 
to have done; and the pearl armlet which you 
wished me to bestow upon her, I still retain in 
my possession, a sorrowful memorial of the loved 
and lost. 

Lazarus has returned to Bethany, where his oc- 
cupation demands his attendance; but his friend 
John remained with us, having agreed, with Laz- 
arus, that he would go into the desert and not 
give up his search for the Divine Prophet, Jesus, 
until he had found him; for both young men feel 
as sad as if they had lost a beloved and honored 
brother. Your daughter. 


ADINA. 


LETTER XII. 


My Dear Father: — How shall I thank you for 
your forbearance with me, and your kind 
answers to ail my letters, filled, as they are, with 
so many inquiries and opinions, which must sur- 
prise, and perhaps, displease you. You say that 
you have read all that I have written with impar- 
tiality, and that you do not marvel that “one 
whom you are pleased to call so imaginative and 
full of sensibility as myself, should be affected by 
what has passed under my observation in Judea.’’ 
You nevertheless refuse, on your part, my dear 
father, to listen, with the least proximation to 
belief, to the extraordinary recital I have given 
you. You are pleased to question the reality of 
the voice at Jordan, and the presence of the dove 
of fire, and to refer it, as many others try to do 
who actually witnessed it, to an illusion of the 
senses. You are willing to admit that Jesus may 
be born at Bethlehem, for many whom you know 
“who are not prophets, neither sons of prophets, 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 155 

were born there.'’ You are willing to admit that 
he “may be of the lineage of David, for David’s 
descendants are as numerous as they are poor 
and obscure, yet they are not Messias, nor pre- 
tend to be Christ’s.” You are content with 
doubting the accuracy of the memory of the 
mother of Lazarus, as to the scene in the Temple, 
though acknowledging you have often seen both 
Simeon and Anna in the Temple, and about the 
time stated by her. But your main objection to 
receiving John’s evidence that this is the Christ, 
is, “that he is poor, of humble station, destitute 
of influence, received baptism of a man, when the 
Messias was to be the baptized of God.” “Who,” 
you ask, “of the wise and the venerated, and the 
learned, and the aged, with years and experience; 
who of the doctors, and lawyers, and priests; 
who of the Scribes, and who of the Pharisees, 
and of the great men of Israel, are to unite in 
acknowledging as Him of whom Moses and the 
Prophets did write, as the central sun, around 
which all the dazzling prophecies of Esaias 
revolve; as the end and crown of the law; as the 
Lion of the tribe of Judah; as the Shiloh of the 
nations; as the Wonderful, the Counsellor, the 
mighty God and the Prince of Peace; as the 
glory of Israel, and the Joy of the whole Earth — 
an obscure young man of thirty, unlearned in let- 
ters, the son of a carpenter, a citizen of Nazareth, 
a city proverbially mean, without name, charac- 
ter, power, rank, wealth, influence, or talents, 
and the last that was heard of whom was, 
that he had fled into the desert.” You add, dear 


156 TilE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


father, that this mere enumeration of what the 
true Christ ought to be, with the enumeration of 
what is wanting in this man, should be sufficient 
to convince me that I have given my sympathies 
and faith to one who has no claim to them. You 
say, further, “that you do not call my Messias an 
imposter, because, so far as you can learn, he has 
professed nothing, declared nothing, respecting 
himself. In silence he appeared, and in silence 
disappeared, none knowing whence or whither C 
and you close your review of my history by say- 
ing, “that you shall wait for further development 
before you can give the subject your serious con- 
sideration.'' 

In your next letter, where you again allude to 
the theme, you say, that if this prophet reap- 
pears, and from his own lips declares himself sent 
from God, and by an appeal to undisputed 
miracles, gives proof of his divine mission, de- 
claring himself to be the Christ, you will then 
believe in Him, provided the whole of the proph- 
ecies can be shown to meet in his person. 

On this ground, I am willing that the issue 
should be met, dearest father; and you add, with 
your usual candor, “that you will not hesitate to 
acknowledge as the Christ a man who fulfills all 
prophecy in his own person, though he come in 
a state and condition contrary to your precon- 
ceived notions of the character of the Messias; 
for that it would be safer for you to question the 
correctness of your own interpretation of the 
Messiac prophecies hitherto, than the identity of 
one, in whom, without question, do meet all the 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 157 


golden threads of the predictions relating to the 
Christ.*' Here I am content, my dear father, to 
let it remain, being fully persuaded that though 
this humble young man, Jesus, hath come lowly 
and obscure, yet He will prove himself to the 
world that He is the true Messias, Christ of God. 

Now, my dear father, let me resume the inter- 
esting subject, of which my letters have been so 
full; and, moreover, as you have desired me still 
to keep you informed of all that transpires touch- 
ing Jesus of Nazareth, and as no theme upon 
which 1 can write is so pleasing to me, I will nar- 
rate all that I have heard since I last wrote to 
you. 

It is now eight weeks since our return from 
Gilgal. For five weeks after we reached Jerusa- 
lem, we heard nothing of Jesus until John reap- 
peared. He and Lazarus came into the city 
together, and to the house of Rabbi Amos. Our 
first inquiry was: 

‘‘Have you seen him? Have you heard any- 
thing from him?’' 

“John has seen him,” answered Lazarus, 
seriously; “ask him and he will tell you all.” 

We looked at John, who sat sad and pensive, 
as if he were dwelling in his mind upon some 
painful, yet tender sorrow. The eyes of my 
cousin Mary, which always caught their lustre 
from his, were shaded with an inquiring look of 
sympathy and solicitude. 

“You are not well, I fear,” she said, placing 
her fair hand upon his white brow, and putting 


158 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

back the hair from his temples. '‘You have been 
long away, and are weary and ill.’’ 

"Weary, Mary? I shall never complain of 
weariness again, after what I have beheld.” 

"What have you seen?” I asked. 

"Jesus in the desert; and when I remember 
him there, I shall forget to smile more.” 

"You found him, then?” I eagerly asked. 

"Yes, after days of painful search. I found 
him in the very centre of the desert of Ashes, 
where foot of man had never trod before. I saw 
him upon his knees, and heard his voice in 
prayer. I laid down the sack of bread and fishes, 
and the skin of water I had brought with me to 
succor him, and with awe drew near where He 
stood.” 

"How did you find him there?” I asked, with 
that painful interest which exacts all details. 

"By his footsteps in the sand and ashes. I 
saw where He sat down to rest, and where two 
nights he reposed upon the ground. I expected 
to find him perished, but each day I discovered 
his progressing footsteps, and followed them. 
As I now drew near him, I heard him groan in 
spirit, and He seemed to be borne down to the 
earth by some mortal agony. He seemed to be 
talking to some invisible evil beings who assailed 
him. 

"Master, good Master, I said, I have brought 
thee food and water. Pardon me if I have 
intruded upon thy awful loneliness, which is 
sacred to some deep grief; but I weep with thee 
for thy woes, and in all thy afflictions I am 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


159 


afflicted. Eat, that thou mayest have strength 
to endure thy mysterious sufferings. 

“He turned his pale countenance full upon me, 
and extended towards me his emaciated hands, 
while he smiled faintly, and blessed me and said: 

“ 'Son, thou art very dear to me. Thou shalt 
one day be afflicted for me, but not now, and 
understand wherefore I am now a sufferer in the 
desert.’ 

“Let me remain with thee. Divine Messias, I 
said. 

“ 'Thou believest, then, that I am He?’ he 
answered, regarding me with love. 

“I replied by casting myself at his desert- 
parched feet, and bathing them with my tears. 
He raised me, and said, ‘Go thy way presently. 
When the time of my fasting and temptation is 
past, I will see thee again.’ 

“Nay, 1 will not leave thee, I asserted. 

“ Tf thou lovest me, John, thou wilt obey me,’ 
he answered, with a tone of gentle reproof. 

“But thou wilt first eat of the bread I have 
brought, and drink of the water, I entreated. 

“ Thou knowest not what temptation thou art 
offering to me,’ he replied, sadly. Thou hast 
not enough for thine own needs. Go, and leave 
me to gain the victory over Satan, for which I 
was led by the Spirit hither!’ 

“I once more cast myself at his feet, and He 
lifted me up, kissed me, and sent me away. You 
would not have known him. Worn to a skele- 
ton by long abstinence, weak through suffering. 
He looked but the shadow of himself. He could 


160 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


not have lived if there had not been a divine 
power within to sustain him. His existence so 
long, for He had been at the desert five weeks 
without food, when I found him, was a miracle,, 
proving the power of God to be in him!” 

'‘For what mighty work among men is God 
preparing him?” said Rabbi Amos, with emotion. 
‘‘Surely He is a Prophet come from God.” 

“Think you He is still alive?” I asked, with 
anxious fears. 

“Yes,” answered JohnpH am come to tell you 
He was sustained through all, and after forty 
days He came forth from the wilderness, and 
suddenly presented himself on the banks of Jor- 
dan, among John’s disciples. I was standing 
near John, discoursing of the Christ, and mar- 
velling when his exile to the desert would ter- 
minate, when the Prophet, lifting up his eyes, 
cried with a loud voice full of joy: 

“ ‘Behold the Lamb of God, upon whom the 
Spirit descended! He hath come forth from the 
furance, like gold seven times tried in the fire! 
He it is who taketh away the sins of the world.’ 

“I turned, and beheld Jesus advancing. He 
was pale, and wore an expression of gentle, un- 
complaining suflering, on his benign counte- 
nance. His calm, chastened, dignified aspect, the 
serene composure and peace of his looks, awed 
me, while they caused me to love him. I 
hastened to meet him, and was kneeling in joy 
at his feet, when He embraced me as a brother, 
and said, 'Faithful, and full of love, wilt thou fol- 
low me?’ 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 161 


'''Whithersoever thou goest, I answered. 
‘Where dwellest thou, Divine Master?’ then 
asked one of John’s disciples, Andrew by name, 
who was with me. 

'* ‘Come and see,’ he answered; and we went 
after him with joy unutterable, that we had at 
length found him.” 

“What passed between him and the Baptizer,” 
asked Rabbi Amos, “at the river side, on this 
meeting?” 

“Not a word. They met and parted like 
strangers, John going away across Jordan into 
the wilderness, as Jesus entered the village of 
Bethabara; and, approaching the house of a 
widow, where he abode. He went in, and we fol- 
lowed him, and took up our abode with him. 
Oh, how shall I be able to make known by 
words,” added John, “the sweet expression of 
his discourse? In one day, in his presence, I 
grew wise; his words filled the soul like new 
wine, and made the heart glad. The next day 
He wished to go into Galilee, and so to Nazareth, 
where his mother dwelleth; and, as I had made 
up my mind to follow him as his disciple hence- 
forth, I have only come hither to make known 
my purpose to Mary, to arrange my affairs in the 
city. To-morrow I leave again, to join this, my 
dear Lord, at Cana of Galilee.” 

“Oh, happy, and to be envied, friend and 
brother,” said Lazarus. “How gladly would I 
go also, and be one of his disciples! but the care 
of my mother and sisters cometh upon me, and I 
must deny myself the happiness of being ever 


162 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

near this divine man, and listening to the heav- 
enly wisdom that flows from his lips. How blind 
] have been, not to have discovered, under his 
gentle and loving character, and unobstrusive 
wisdom, the Messias. Truly, he was among us, 
and we knew him not.’’ 

''Canst thou divine at all his purpose?” asked 
Rabbi Amos of John, “whether he intends to 
found a school of wisdom, to preach like the 
prophets, to reign like David, or to conquer like 
his warrior namesake, Joshua!” 

“I know not, save that he said He came to 
redeem that which was lost, and to establish a 
kingdom that shall have no end !” 

Upon hearing this, all our hearts bounded with 
hope and confidence in him, and we altogether 
burst forth into a voice of thanksgiving, and sang 
this hymn of praise: 

“ O sing unto the Lord a new song : for he hath done mar- 
vellous things ; his right hand and his holy arm hath gotten the 
victory. 

“ The Lord hath made known his salvation : his righteous- 
ness hath He openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. 

** He hath remembered his mercy and his truth towards the 
house of Israel : all the ends of the earth have seen the salva- 
tion of our God. 

** Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth : make a 
loud noise, and rejoice, and sing his praise. 

** Sing unto the Lord with the harp : with the harp and the 
voice of a psalm. 

“ With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise 
before the Lord, the King. 


THE riilNCE OF THE HOUSE OF HAVID. 163 


“ Let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof : the world, and 
they that dwell therein. 

“ Let the floods clap their hands : let the hills be joyful to- 
gether. 

“Before the Lord; for He cometh to judge the earth: with 
righteousness shall He judge the world, and the people with 
equity.” 

There was this morning no little excitement 
produced among the Chief Priests by a formal 
inquiry sent by Pilate to Caiaphas, the High 
Priest, asking whether this new prophet was to 
be acknowledged by them as their Messiah, “for 
if he is to be, it will be my duty,’’ said the Gov- 
ernor, “to place him under arrest, inasmuch as 
we understand the Jewish Messias is to declare 
himself king!’’ Upon this, there was a tumultu- 
ous assembling together of the Priests in the 
porch of the Temple, and with many invectives, 
they agreed to send answer to Pilate that they 
did not acknowledge Jesus of Nazareth to be the 
Christ. Thy were led to this the more urgently, 
inasmuch as they feared an arrest of Jesus would 
give the Romans occasion for arresting other 
Jews, and so bring on the nation great troubles ; 
just as, a few years ago, when a certain imposter 
rose up and called himself the Christ, the 
Romans were not satisfied with taking and 
destroying him, but they punished with fines 
every city in Judah. Therefore, the Priests both 
denied to the Procurator any knowledge of Jesus, 
and entreated him not to pay any attention to 
him, till, indeed, he should find that he openly^ 
took the lead of armed men. What Pilate will 


1G4 THE ^KI^XE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


conclude to do, I know not. Rabbi Amos in- 
formed us that the Procurator had got some 
news by a courier that morning, that Jesus, on 
his way to Cana, had been followed by full a 
thousand people, who, having recognized him as 
having seen him baptized of John in Jordan, 
hailed him as the Christ. 

Thus, you see, my dear father, that this dhine 
person is already taking hold of the hearts of the 
people, and arousing the jealousy of our enemies. 
Be assured that the day will come when He will 
lift up his standard to the Gentiles, and draw all 
men unto liim. The dvelopments of his power 
are daily taking place; and although He has yet 
performed no such miracle as would be deemed 
by you a test of his divine mission, yet I have no 
doubt that in due time He will give this proof, 
and all other needful manifestations, that He is 
the Christ of God. 

Your loving 


ADINA. 


LETTER XIII. 


My Dear Father: — I have received your last 
letter by the Cairo merchant, Heber, the son of 
Malachial, and having read it to Rabbi Amos, 
he said, after careful reflection thereupon, that he 
could not agree with you in your opinion touch- 
ing the undimmed glory of Messiah, viz.: ‘'that 
he is to come as a King, and Mighty Leader of 
Hosts, and reign and prosper, and rule the earth, 
King of the kings of the earth.’’ He desires me 
to ask you what is meant by "Messias being a 
man of sorrows and acquainted with grief,” as 
prophesied of him; and how you interpret, dear 
father, other than as referring to a violent end, 
the words of the wise Daniel, "And after three- 
score and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, 
but not for himself?” Uncle also desires me to 
ask you to examine into the time named by 
Daniel, when Messiah, the Prince, is to come, 
and take note that we live in the day of the close 
of the threescore and two weeks, whereof the 


166 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


prophet wrileth and saith, ''Know, therefore, and 
understand, that from the going forth of the 
commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem 
unto Messiah the Prince, shall be seven weeks 
and threescore and two weeks.'’ Rabbi Amos 
says, the time for the appearing of Christ is 
come, as all must confess who read the Prophets; 
and the only reason Jesus is not believed to be 
he, is that he comes in poverty and humility, 
fasting and suffering. But, my dear father, may 
it not be ordained that He shall come in lowli- 
ness and end in power? Oh, that you could have 
the faith in Jesus of Nazareth, that He is 
Messias, that I have, dearest and most honored 
father! Since I last wrote you, my faith has 
been confirmed by the testimony, which in one 
of your letters you demanded. You said, “let 
me hear that he has done an authentic miracle in 
attestation of the divinity of his mission, such a 
miracle as was prophesied Messias shall do, ‘as 
healing the sick by a word, restoring the blind 
to sight, and raising the dead, and I will prepare 
to believe in him." 

A miracle He has performed, dear father, and 
one, the genuineness of which is not disputed 
by anyone. I can give you the particulars best 
by extracting from a letter written by John to 
Mary, a few days after his departure to join Jesus 
at Nazareth; for John has joined himself to him, 
and become his disciple. 

"Upon reaching Nazareth," says the letter, '*! 
was guided to the humble dwelling occupied by 
the mother of Jesus, by a large concourse of 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 167 


people g'athered about it, of whom inquiring, I 
learned that it was to see the new Prophet they 
had assembled. ‘What new^ prophet?' I asked, 
wishing to know what the multitude thought of 
Jesus. 

“ ‘The One John of the wilderness foretold,' 
answered one. 

“ ‘They say he is Messias,' replied another. 

“ ‘He is the Christ,' boldly asserted the third. 

“Plereupon, a Levite, standing by, said scorn- 
fully, ‘Does Christ come out of Galilee? You 
read the prophets to little purpose, if you see 
therein any Christ prophesied to come out of 
Nazareth of Galilee.' Plereupon, seeing the 
faith of many staggered, I said, ‘Brethren, Christ 
is truly of Bethlehem; and verily Jesus, though 
he dwelleth in this place, was born in Bethle- 
hem.' ‘Thou canst not prove it, man,' said the 
Levite, angrily. ‘The stranger speaketh truly,' 
spoke up both an old man and a gray-haired 
woman in the crowd; ‘we know that he was not 
born here, and that when his parents moved here, 
when he was an infant, they then said he was 
born in Bethlehem. We all remember this well.' 

“Hereupon, the Levite, seeing that he had not 
the people wdth him, passed on his way, while I 
went to the door of the house where Jesus dwelt 
with is mother. There were two doors, one of 
which led into a work-shop, where I noticed the 
bench and tools of the occupation at which he 
toiled to support himself and his mother. 
This sight made me half question whether he 
who was an humble artisan, whose tools and 


1G8 THE PKINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


shop 1 saw oeiore me, could in truth be the 
Christ of God, the Prince Messias whom all the 
patriarchs and prophets looked forward to with 
the eye of faith, desiring to see his day! and it 
lequired the recalling of the wonderful scenes of 
his baptism, the holy dove and voice of God, and 
his miraculous preservation in the wilderness, to 
levive my assurance; but when, as I enterea the 
dwelling, I saw him standing, teaching those 
who hung on his lips, and listened to his calm 
voice, and heard the sublime wisdom of his in- 
structions, beheld the dignity of his aspect, and 
the heavenly benignity of his manner, I forgot 
the carpenter, I forgot the man, and seemed to 
behold in Plim only Messiah the Prince, the Son 
of God. 

“Upon beholding me, he extended his hand, 
and received me graciously, and said, pointing to 
Pve men who stood near him, regarding him 
with mingled love and reverence, ^These are thy 
brethren, who have also come out of the world to 
follow me.’ 

“Of these, one was Andrew, who was, as well 
as myself, John’s disciple, and we were talking 
with him when Jesus came forth out of the wil- 
derness. Another was Andrew’s brother, whose 
name is Simon, who, hearing his brother speak of 
Jesus as the Christ, had gone with him to see 
him; and had no sooner beheld him than he 
joined himself to him; and Jesus, from the firm- 
ness and immovable zeal of his character, which 
He seemed to understand, called him also Peter, 
or Stone. The fourth disciple was of Bethsaida, 


THE 7, OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 1G9 


the city of Andrew and Peter. His name was 
Philip, and he followed Jesus from having been 
prepared by John the Baptist to receive him. 
He was, however, so overjoyed at finding the 
Christ, that he ran to the house of his brother 
Nathaniel, and finding him in his garden, be- 
neath a fig tree, at prayer, exclaimed, ‘We have 
found Him of whom Moses in the law and the 
prophets did write, the Messias of God!' ‘Where 
is He, that I may behold Him?' asked his 
brother, rising. ‘It is Jesus of Nazareth, the son 
of Joseph,' Philip answered. Upon hearing this 
answer, the countenance of Nathaniel fell, and he 
replied, ‘Can there any good thing come out of 
Nazareth?' ‘Come thou, and see for thyself,' 
answered Philip. Nathaniel then went with him 
where Jesus was. When Jesus saw him ap- 
proaching, he said to those about him, ‘Behold 
an Israelite, indeed, in whom there is no guile!’ 
‘Whence knowest thou me?' asked Nathaniel, 
with surprise, for he had heard the words which 
Avere spoken. Jesus answered, and said, ‘Before 
Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig- 
tree, I saw thee.' Upon hearing this, Nathaniel, 
who knew that he was all alone in his garden, 
and unseen at prayer, when his brother came, 
regarded the serene face of Jesus steadfastly, and 
then, as if he beheld therein the expression of 
divinity, he cried before all the people, ‘Rabbi, 
Thou art the Son of God! Thou art the King of 
Israel!' Jesus looked upon him as if pleased at 
his confession, and said, ‘Because I said unto 
thee, I saw thee under the fig-tree, believest 


170 THE PKIXCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

thou? Thou shall see greater things than these. 
Verily, verily, I say unto you, hereaher ye shall 
see heaven open, and the angels of God ascend- 
ing and descending upon the Son of Man.’ 

“These four, Andrew and Peter, Philip and 
Nathaniel, were then present in the house with 
him; and, to my surprise and joy, with them 
stood my own brother James, whom Jesus had 
seen on the lake in his boat, and called him, when 
James left all and followed him. Thus we were 
six disciples in all, bound to him by ties of con- 
fidence and love. The mother of Jesus, a noble 
and matronly woman, still beautiful, and with a 
face of the holiest serenity, was present, and 
gazed with love and tenderness upon her Son, 
listening to his words, as if she also would learn 
of him that wisdom which hath descended upon 
him from above. The next day James and I 
went to the sea of Tiberias, but two hours’ dis- 
tant, to see our father Zebedee, and transfer our 
interests to him, and, during the afternoon, Jesus 
passed near the shore on his way to Cana, when, 
calling US, we left our ships with our father, and 
joined him. His mother, and many of her kins- 
folk were of the company, all going to a mar- 
riage of the cousin of the famil}^ Upon our 
arrival at Cana, we were ushered into the guest- 
chamber, and Jesus, in particular, was received 
with marked respect by the Hebrew master of 
the house, though he was an officer in the service 
of the Romans. We here met Elizabeth, the 
mother of John the Baptizer, who is a relative 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


171 


of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The meeting be- 
tween them was very touching. 

‘Ah,’ said the mother of the prophet, as she 
looked upon Jesus, who was talking with the 
governor of the feast, ‘How blessed art thou, O 
Mary, to have thy son ever with thee ! while 1 am 
a mother, and yet no mother. The son whom 
God gave me He hath taken from me to be his 
prophet, and he is to me as if he were dead ! Since 
his twelfth year he has been in the wilderness, 
knowing no man, until six months ago he came 
forth to proclaim the advent of thy holy Son!’ 

“The marriage feast at length commenced. 
The wine which should have come from Damas- 
cus, had not arrived, the caravan having been 
delayed by the insurrection near Cesarea. The 
guests had, therefore, but little wine, and the 
chief ruler of the town presiding at the feast, see- 
ing that the wine had given out, bade the ser- 
vants to place more upon the board. The 
mother of Jesus, who knew that the wine was 
out, turning to him, said, ‘They have no wine!’ 
for it seems that she knew the power that was 
within him, though he had not yet manifested it 
openly. I sat next to him, and heard her when 
she whispered to Jesus. He looked grave, and 
said with a slight tone of respectful reproof, and 
applying to her that title, which we in Judea be- 
lieve most honorable of all others, ‘Woman,’ he 
said; ‘what have I to do with thy private requests 
for the exercise of my power? You wish me to 
perform a miracle before this noble company, 
that they may behold and believe on me. Mine 


172 THE pm^'CE of the house of david. 


hour for manifesting my glory to men is not yet 
come, nevertheless, in obedience to thy wish, my 
honored mother, I will do what thou desirest me 
to do.’ 

“She then thanked him with deep emotion, and 
turned to the servants and beckoned to them, 
while her cheek borrowed a rich color from her 
hidden joy, and her eyes, kindled with the feel- 
ings of a mother about to see her son display 
powers such as only come by the gift of God, and 
which were to seal Him as a Prophet, before the 
eyes of Jew and Gentile. For mys Mary, not 
anticipating, or suspecting what was to take 
place, I regarded the nervous emotions of the 
joyful mother with marvel. When two or three 
of the servants approached, she said to them: 

“ ‘Whatsoever He saith to you, do it.’ 

“They then fixed their regards upon him, 
awaiting his commands, as little suspecting what 
they would be as I did. The face of Jesus, ever 
calm and dignified, now seemed to express a cer- 
tain consciousness of power within, that awed 
me. Casting his eyes upon several stone vases, 
which stood by the door, empty, he said to them: 

“ Till the water-pots with water.’ 

“In the court, in full sight from the table, was 
a well, to which the servants went with jars, 
which I saw them fill with water, bear in upon 
their heads, and pour it out into the water-pots, 
until they had filled them all, six in number. 
While this was going on, the governor of the 
feast was relating to the guests, and fixing their 
attention, as well as his own, how Herod and 


THE PEINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


173 


Pontius Pilate had recently become enemies, be- 
cause the latter, on his way from Cesarea Phil- 
ippi to Jerusalem, to be present with his forces 
during the weeks of the Passover, having come 
to a caravansera at night, which was occupied 
by Herod and his body-guard, turned them out 
to make room for his own, saying that a Roman 
Procurator was more honorable than a Jewish 
King of Galilee. 'It will be long,’ added the 
governor, as the last water-pot was filled, ‘before 
this quarrel will be made up between them. But 
we talk, my friends, and forget our wine.’ 

“ ‘Draw out now, and bear unto the governor 
of the feast,’ said Jesus to the servants. 

“They obeyed, and pouring rich, blood-red 
wine into the jars which I and others had seen 
filled up with water from the well, the amazed 
servants bore it to the chief of the feast. He had 
no sooner filled his goblet and tasted it, than he 
called to the bridegroom, who sat in the middle 
of the table, and said: 

“ ‘Every man, at the beginning, doth set forth 
good wine, and when men have well drunk, then 
that which is worse, but thou hast kept the good 
wine until now.’ 

“ ‘Who hath brought this wine?’ asked the 
bridegroom, drinking of the water that was made 
wine. ‘Whence it came, sir, I know not.’ 

“Then the servants and others told that they 
had filled the six water-pots with water to the 
brim, at the command of Jesus, and that when 
they drew out, behold, it flowed forth wine in- 
stead of water. Upon this there was a general 


174 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

exclamation of surprise; and the governor of the 
feast crying out, ‘A Prophet hath been among 
us, and we knew it not,' rose to approach and do 
honor to Jesus; but he had already conveyed 
himself away, rising, and passing out through the 
door, and sought the solitude of the garden. 
Thither I followed him, and worshiping him, sat 
at his feet and listened to him, while he unfolded 
to me wonderful things concerning himself, 
showing that he is truly the Son of God, and the 
very Christ. But these things I cannot speak to 
thee of now, for I do not clearly understand all 
that he is to be, save that I know he is destined 
to suffer, and to be exalted. Doubt not," con- 
cludes the letter to Mary, “doubt not that Jesus 
is the Christ. His miracle at Cana, of turning 
water into wine, is a public display of his divine 
power. All men at the feast have believed on 
Him, and his fame is spreading abroad through- 
out Galilee and Samaria. He has told me pri- 
vately that he must soon visit Jerusalem, and he 
wall there openly proclaim his mission as the 
Christ of God." 

In this manner, my dear father, writes the be- 
trothed husband of my cousin Mary; and I have 
given you the extract from this letter, in order 
that you may see that Jesus is already attracting 
great attention, that he has disciples, and that he 
is by no means poor, who has the power to con- 
vert wells of water into wine. From this letter, 
you must perceive that Jesus is, at least, a 
Prophet, equal to Elijah, who kept full the cruse 
of the widow of Zarephath. If, therefore, you ac- 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF. DAVID. 175 

knowledge this much, you must confess that he 
is a good man. Now, a good man will not lie. 
Yet, Jesus hath said to John, that He is the 
Christ! How, then, dear father, can any 
one deny, who believes him to be a prophet, 
that he is more than a prophet, even Mes- 
sias? Pardon your daughter for thus pre- 
suming to reason with you, but I am so 
earnest that you should believe, that I some- 
times forget the daughter in the disciple of Jesus. 
As for my uncle, the good and learned Rabbi 
Amos, he is more than half his disciple; and I 
have no doubt that when Jesus shall present him- 
self in Jerusalem, and he can see him, and hear 
his divine teachings, he will cast off all prejudice 
and become his follower. 

The rumor of the miracle at Cana has reached 
Jerusalem since I began this letter, and I hear 
that it has produced no little excitement in the 
market-places and courts of the Temple. Rabbi 
A.mos, on his return from sacrifice, a few minutes 
ago, said that he saw more than thirty priests, 
with rolls of the Prophets in their hands, en- 
gaged in looking up the prophecies of Christ. 
So, my dear father, you see that the young man 
^Svho came,” as you remarked, ^'no one knew 
whence, and went no one knew whither,” 
is already taking hold of the attention of 
Israel, and stirring up the minds of all men to 
investigate his claim to be the Christ. 

Your affectionate daughter. 


ADINA. 


LETTER XIV. 


My Dear Father: — You will not require the 
testimony of my letters to enable you to appre- 
ciate the fame of the wonderful young man of 
Nazareth, Jesus, who is daily proving himself a 
Prophet, indeed, and mighty before God, show- 
ing all the people that God is with Him. Not a 
stranger cometh into Jerusalem who does not 
bring report of some new miracle which He hath 
done, some wonderful manifestation of his 
power. He still delays coming to Jerusalem, but 
is engaged in preaching the coming of the king- 
dom of David and of God on earth, teaching in 
the sinagogues, and showing from the Prophets 
that He is truly the Messias. And his fame for 
wis<lom, for knowledge of the Scriptures, for 
power to teach, and for miracles, has gone 
abroad through all Syria, so that they bring to 
him, sick persons, both rich and poor, even from 
Damascus, to be healed of him; and he heals all 
who are brought unto him, whether possessed of 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


177 


devils, lunatic, or having the palsy. His foot- 
steps are attended by thousands, wheresoever he 
goes, and even the Governor of Philippi, in his 
chariot, hath mingled in the throng, and kneel- 
ing at his feet, asked the health of his son,* who 
was palsied; and his son was healed by him, by a 
word, though many leagues distant. While 1 
now write, a company is passing by the open 
window, bearing upon beds two wealthy men of 
Jerusalem, who have been given over by their 
physicians, who are going to him to be cured; 
for all Jerusalem talks of nothing else than the 
wonderful miracles of Christ. There was a man 
who wove baskets, who has occupied a stall op- 
posite our house for many years. He had lost 
entirely the use of his legs, for twelve years, and 
had to be carried to and fro. Hearing of the 
fame of Jesus, he was seized with a strong desire 
to have him perform a miracle upon him. For 
this purpose he begged money from the priests, 
as they went by to the Temple, but though some 
gave, all laughed, saying that he could not be 
cured, inasmuch as one of his limbs was with- 
ered. But the man had faith, and having begged 
money enough for his journey from the benevo- 
lent, hired two men to convey him five days^ 
journey into Galilee. At the end of three weeks 
he returned, walking upright, and well in body 
and limbs! All the city flocked to behold him; 
and he related that how when he had reached 
Capernaum, where Jesus was, the crowd was so 
great that his bearers could not for some time 
get near him. At length, Jesus moved on, heal- 


178 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


ing the files of sick as he passed through them, 
at a word. ''Seeing me,'' said the man, “he fixed 
his eyes upon me, and said, calling me by name : 

" 'Great is thy faith. As thou hast believed, 
be it done unto thee.' 

"Immediately my legs and ankle-bones re- 
ceived strength; I leaped from the litter to the 
giound, and found that I was whole, without 
pain or illness. 1 would have fallen at his feel in 
ecstasy of joy, but the crowds which pressed him 
separated me from the sight of him. But I filled 
the air with shouts and hallelujahs to the Son of 
David!” 

This man, my dear father, I now see daily, 
moving about, sound in limb and health; but this 
one instance is but one of a thousand. John, 
who follows Jesus everywhere he goes, and is a 
witness of all that he does and teaches, writes to 
Mary, that "the sick and afflicted from all parts 
of the land of Galilee, from Decapolis, from Jeru- 
salem, from beyond Jordan, even from Lesser 
Asia, come to him. When my beloved master," 
he writes, "comes forth from a synagogue, where 
he has been reading the Prophets to the people, 
who hear him gladly, I have beheld two hundred 
persons, the lame, the palsied, the withered, the 
blind, the possessed of devils, and persons 
afflicted with all manners of diseases, laid in 
rows before the gate of the synagogue, awaiting 
his coming forth. Those who bore them were 
standing in eager, expectant groups near them. 
It was a painful, yet sublime spectacle, to behold 
the hollow eyes of those wretched sufferers. 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


179 


turned towards the door as the people came run- 
ning forth, shouting, 'He comes! He comes!’ 
The writhing torments of the possessed with 
devils ceased for the moment, and groans gave 
way to expecting silence. Jesus at length apT- 
pears, and upon seeing his face, that ever 
expresses holy benignity and innate power, they 
set up touching cries of the most thrilling appeal 
for his aid, and such appeals are never uttered in 
vain. Going through the rows of beds and lit- 
ters, He lays his hand upon some, speaks a word 
to others, touches the eyes of the blind and the 
ears of the deaf, lays his hand gently upon the 
head of the lunatic, and commands in tones of 
authority, the devils to leave the bodies of the 
possessed. And what is extraordinary,” contin- 
ues John, "the devils always conduct with more 
terrific violence as he draws near, and while they 
leave the man with curses, they confess loudly 
that Jesus is 'the Son of David — the Son of 
God!’ and implore him, in the most abject man- 
ner, not utterly to destroy them! So great is 
the multitude which everywhere follows him, 
that he is often compelled to withdraw from them 
by stealth, to get to some by-place of quiet, 
where he can refresh his wearied strength for a 
few days. At such times we, who are his imme- 
diate followers, have the benefit of his teaching 
and private instructions. But he cannot remain 
long away from the people. They soon pene- 
trate his retirement, and he never can refuse their 
appeals to his miraculous powers to do them 
good. How wonderful is he who thus holds in 


180 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


his hand divine power! The power of kings ig 
nothing before that which he possesses in his 
voice; yet, he is serene, humble, oh, how humble! 
to our shame, and ahvays calm and gentle. He 
spends much time in private prayer to God, 
whom he alw^ays addresses as his Father. Never 
was such a man on earth. We, who know him 
most intimately, stand most in awe of him; yet, 
wTth our deep reverence for his holy character is 
combined the purest affection. In one and the 
same breath, I feel that I adore him as my Lord, 
and love him, even as my brother. So we all 
feel towards him. His engaging manners, his 
patience with our ignorance, his forbearance with 
our grossness, his ready excuses for us when we 
are in fault, ere we have time to exculpate our- 
selves, all have bound us to him with ties that 
can never be sundered. When I next write to 
you,’' continues John, ‘T will relate to you, so far 
as they are understood by me and my fellow-dis- 
ciples, the things which he reveals respecting 
himself and the object of his mission on earth. 
Some things, however, are not comprehended by 
us, but he promises that we shall by and by 
understand what now appears obscure to us.’' 

Such, my dear father, is the tenor of the letters 
which my cousin Mary receives from John, the 
disciple of Jesus. 'They are all filled with ac- 
counts of his miracles, of his teachings, and of his 
journeyings. When we shall see Jesus at Jeru- 
salem, I shall be able, from personal observation, 
to write to you more particularly concerning his 
doctrines and miracles. That He is the Christ, 


THE PiaXCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 181 


thousands now believe; for they ask, very natu- 
rally, how could he do these things unless God 
were with him? What is also of importance, it 
has been proven by the results of the examina- 
tion made by some of the scribes of the Temple, 
that he was truly born in Bethlehem, and that 
both his mother, Mary, and Joseph, her husband, 
are lineally descended of the house of David. 
]\Ioreover, Phineas, the venerable priest, whom 
you know, hath borne testimony to the fact, that 
when Jesus was an infant, during the reign of the 
elder Plerod, there arrived in Jerusalem three 
eminent princes, men of wisdom and learning. 
One of these came from Persia; one from the 
Giecian province of Media; and one from 
Arabia; and brought with them gifts of gold and 
spices, and were attended by retinues. These 
three princes reached Jerusalem the same day by 
three different ways, and entered by three differ- 
ent gates, each unknowing the other’s presence 
or object, till they met in the city before Herod’s 
palace. One represented himself descended from 
Shem, another from Japhet, the third from Ham. 
The king hearing that these three strangers had 
arrived in Jerusalem, he sent to know wherefore 
they had honored his kingdom with a visit. 
'‘They answered,” says Phineas, as he yesterday 
related the narrative in the presence of Caiaphas, 
and many of the rulers and Pharisees, 'that they 
came to do homage to the young Prince, who 
was born King of the Jews.^ And when Herod 
asked what prince they spoke of, they answered. 


182 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


‘we have seen his star in the East, and are come 
to worship him !’ ’’ 

‘How know you the star you have seen indi~ 
cates the birth of a Prince of Judea?’ demanded 
King Herod, greatly troubled at what he heard. 

“ ‘It had a motion towards this city,’ they an- 
swered, ‘and we have been led by a heavenly im- 
pulse to follow it, and lo, it has led us to Jerusa- 
lem, over which, were it now night, you would 
see it suspended, burning with the glory of a 
planet; and it hath been revealed to us that it is 
the star of the birth of one who is to reign King 
of Judah! Tell us, therefore, oh king, where this 
august Prince is now to be found, that we may 
worship him !’ 

“Hereupon,” says Phineas, “the king issued 
an edict for all the chief priests and scribes of the 
people to assemble in the council chamber of his 
palace. He then addressed them: 

“ ‘Ye, to whom is given the care of the Books 
of the Law and of the Prophets, whose study 
they are, and in whom lies the skill to interpret 
the prophecies, search therein, and tell me truly 
where the Christ is to be born. Behold here 
present these august and wise men, who have 
come from afar to do Him homage; nay, more,, 
as they aver, to worship Him as God. Let us 
have the courtesy to give them the answer that 
they seek, and let us not be found more ignorant 
of these things than those who dwell in other 
lands!’ 

“Several of the Chief Priests then rose and 
said, ‘It is known, oh, king, to all who are Jews, 


THE nilNCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 183 


and who read the Prophets, that Messias cometh 
of the house of David, of the town of Bethlehem; 
for thus it is written by the prophet: “And thou, 
Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not least 
among the Princes of Judah, for out of thee shall 
come a. Governor that shall rule my people 
Israel!"’’ 

“1 his question being thus decided,” continued 
Phmeas, “Herod dismissed the council,, and, re- 
tiring to his own private room, sent to the three 
princes of the East to inquire of them what time 
the star appeared. And when they had named 
the very day and hour on which they had first 
seen it, he was thereby enabled to arrive at the 
probable age of the infant. He then said to 
tliem : 

“ ‘You have my permission, noble strangers, 
to go to Bethlehem, and search for the young 
child; and when ye have found him, bring me 
word again, that I may come and worship him 
also; for it is but meet that we should pay all 
possible honors to a Prince of our realm, whose 
birth is heralded in so unusual a manner, and to 
worship whom even the East sends forth her 
wise men.’ They then left the presence of Herod, 
and, it being dark when they left the palace, they 
were overjoyed to behold the star which they 
saw in the East, going before them. They fol- 
lowed it until it left Jerusalem by the Bethlehem 
gate, and it led them on to the town of Bethle- 
hem, and stopped above an humble dwelling 
therein. When they were come into the house, 
they saw a ray of the star resting upon the head 


184 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


of an infant in the arms of its mother, Mary, the 
wife of Joseph. They at once acknowledged and 
hailed him as Prince and King of Israel, and fall- 
ing down, worshiped him; and opening their 
treasures they presented unto him gold, frankin- 
cense, and myrrh, gifts that are offered on the 
altar to God alone!'’ 

When Phineas was asked by Caiaphas how he 
knew this fact, he answered, that he, himself, 
prompted by curiosity to see the Prince they had 
come to worship, had followed them out of the 
palace of Herod, out of the gate, and even into 
Bethlehem, and witnessed their prostrations and 
offerings to the infant child of Mary. '‘And," 
he added, "if this be doubted, there are many 
Jews now living in Jerusalem, and a certain He- 
brew captain, now stricken in years, who can 
testify to the slaughter, by Herod's command, of 
the infants of Bethlehem; for this captain Jere- 
mias led on the soldiers." 

"And wherefore this slaughter?" asked Caia- 
phas. "It is not on record." 

"Kings do not record their deeds of violence," 
answered Phineas. "Herod kept it hushed up 
when he found that he gained nothing by it but 
hatred. He slew them, in order that the infant 
Jesus might be destroyed among them; for the 
three wise men, instead of returning through 
Jerusalem to their own country, and informing 
him where they had found the child, departed 
by another way; and when Herod found that 
they were gone, he became so enraged, that he 
sent out a party of troops, under Jeremias, their 


THE TRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID 


185 


captain, who now liveth to testify, ordering tlieni 
to slay every child under two years of age in 
Bethlehem, hoping, as I have said, to kill the in- 
fant Jesus among the number. But the child 
escaped, doubtless, by God’s powerful protec- 
tion; and his fame in his manhood this day fills 
the ears of all Israel. The adoration of these 
three men, who were sons of Shem, Ham, and 
Japhet, represents the homage of the whole race 
of mankind that shall yet be paid to Him!” 

“Dost thou believe in him, also?” asked Caia- 
phas, with angry surprise, looking sternly on 
Phineas. 

“I will first see, and hear him speak; and if he 
appear to me to be Messias, I will gladly worship 
him.” 

“Hereupon,” said Rabbi Amos, who gave me 
the details of the foregoing interview between 
Caiaphas and Phineas, “there arose a great up- 
roar, some crying that Jesus was the Christ, and 
others, that Phineas should be stoned to death.” 

Thus, you see, my dear father, how the evi- 
dence increases in value and importance, proving 
Jesus to be the Messiah. His very cradle bears 
testimony to his divine character; and, surely, do 
his miracles now confirm the pledge given by 
the remarkable circumstances attending his 
childhood. The captain Jeremias, now a gray- 
headed old soldier, having been called upon, tes- 
tifies that he obeyed such an order of Herod, and 
that it was given within three days after the three 
Princes of the East quitted Jerusalem for Bethle- 
hem. Now, my dear father, let me sum up the 


ISG THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


evidences that Jesus is the Messiah. First, his 
presentation in the Temple, when holy Simeon 
and Anna worshiped and prophesied of him. ’ 
Secondly, the star which led the wise men to' 
Betlehem. Thirdly, their adoration of him m his 
cradle. Fourthly, the testimony of John the 1 
Baptist. Fifthly, the voice of God at his bap- ' 
tism. Sixthly, the descent of the Holy Ghost 
upon him in the form of a dove. Seventhly, his 
miracle at Cana of Galilee. And, lastly, the glit- 
tering coronet of miracles that now encircles his 
brow', shedding a light and glory upon his path 
that blinds and dazzles the eye steadfastly to be- 
hold. Tell me, dear father, is not this the 
Ciirist? 

Your affectionate and loving 

ADINA. 


LETTER XV. 


My Dear Father: — The inquiry you made in 
your last letter, '‘What hath become of John of 
Jordan, since the fame of Jesus hath so far 
eclipsed his own?” I can answer, but with sad- 
ness. Your inquiry seems to infer that he would 
feel envious of the power and the miracles that 
distinguish his Successor. But, on the contrary, 
John always plainly declared in his preaching, 
that " he was not worthy to unloose the shoe 
latchet of Him who was to come after him;” and 
he distinctly said many times to all, that "He to 
whom I bear witness must increase, but I must 
decrease!” The mission on which John came 
terminated when Jesus came. Soon afterwards 
he left the wilderness, and entered Jericho, where 
Herod was then dwelling. Here he preached in 
the public places, and in the market, and on the 
very steps of the palace, that God’s judgments 
were coming upon the earth, and that men must, 
by repentance, appease his wrath ; and that Christ 


188 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

would be the Judge of men! Now, while he was 
thus speaking to the people, and the officers and 
soldiers of the Tetrarch’s guard, Herod himself 
came forth upon the balcony to listen, for he had 
heard much of John, and had long a desire to 
hear him. The prophet no sooner beheld him, 
than he boldly addressed him, and sternly re- 
proved him for the sin of having married the 
widow of his brother Philip, contrary to law. 
Now, Pierod, it is said, did not show resentment 
at this plain dealing, and inviting the prophet 
into his hall, talked much with him, and in part- 
ing, offered him gifts, which John refused to 
touch. The next day he sent for him again, to 
ask him some questions touching the Messias 
whom he preached. Now, Herodia, when it 
was reported to her how that the prophet had 
publicly spoken against her marriage with 
Herod, became very angry; and when she found 
that John was still favored by her husband, she 
sent for Herod, and said, ^'that if he would please 
her he must throw the prophet of Jordan into 
prison.’' Herod would have excused him, 
asserting that he was a man of God; but Herodia 
only the more vehemently insisted that he should 
be cast into prison. At length Herod yielded, 
against his own will, and gave orders for the ar- 
rest of the prophet, who the same night was 
thrown into the ward of the castle. When this 
intelligence reached the followers of John, it 
created great sorrow; and many went to see him 
and talk with him. But he told them they must 
think of him no longer; that his short stay was 


THE PRI^XE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


189 


drawing to its close; but that they must turn 
their eyes towards the Christ the Sun of Right- 
eousness, whose rising was unto an everlasting 
day. “Said I not unto ye,’’ he asked of them, 
“He must increase and I must decrease?” For 
some weeks this holy man, whose only offence 
was that he had courage to reprove sin in high 
places, remained in prison, while Herod each day 
sought to find some excuse for releasing him 
without displeasing Herodia, of whose anger he 
stood in great fear, he being an abject slave to 
his love for her. At length the birthday of Her- 
od arrived, and he conveyed word to John that 
in honor of the day he would send and fetch him 
out of prison, so soon as he should obtain the 
consent of his wife, which he believed she would 
accord to him on such an anniversary. 

Now, after the feast, Philippa, the daughter of 
Herodia and of her former husband Philip, came 
in and danced before Herod ; and being beautiful 
in person and full of grace in every motion, she 
so pleased her step-father that he made oath, 
having drunk much wine with his guests, that he 
would give her whatever she would ask, were it 
the half of his kingdom. Her mother then call- 
ed to her, and whispered to her imperatively. 

“Give me,” said the maiden, turning towards 
Herod, asking what her mother had commanded, 
“the head now of John Baptist in a charger.” 

The king no sooner heard this request than he 
turned pale, and said fiercely: 

“Thy mother hath been tampering with thine 
ears, girl.” Herodia, however, betrayed no con- 


190 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


fusion, but sat unconcerned. Herod, it is said 
by those who were present, hesitated a long time, 
and at length said: “Ask half of my kingdom and 
I will give it thee; but let me not shed blood on 
my birthday.’’ 

“Wilt thou falsify thine oath?” asked his wife, 
scornfully. 

“For mine oath’s sake, and for these who have 
heard it, I wall grant thy desire,” he at length 
answered, with a sigh of regret and self-reproach. 
He then turned to the captain of the guard, and 
commanded him to slay John Baptist in prison, 
and bring presently there his head upon a 
charger. 

At the end of a quarter of an hour, which was 
passed by Herod in great excitement, walking up 
and down the floor, and by his guests in silent 
expectation, the door opened, and the captain of 
the guard entered, followed by the executioner, 
who carried a brazen platter upon which lay the 
gory head of the eloquent forerunner of Christ. 

“Give it to her!” cried Herod sternly, waving 
him tow^ards the beautiful, but cruel and heartless 
maiden, who stood near the inner door. The 
executioner placed the charger in her hands; 
and, without turning pale, but with a smile of 
triumph, she bore it to her mother, who had re- 
tired to an inner chamber. It is said, that no 
sooner did she behold it, than she spat in the 
face, and setting it up before her, reviled it. His 
disciples, when they heard of his death, came to 
Herod and asked the body of John, and taking it 
away, buried it; but when they would have asked 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 191 


the head also of Herodia, she answered, 'hhat she 
had given it to her dogs to devour!” So terrible 
can be the revenge of a woman who fears not 
God! 

All the disciples of the murdered prophet then 
went where Jesus was preaching and healing, 
and told him what had been done to John. 
“When Jesus heard of the death of John he was 
very sorrowful,” writes John, his disciple, to 
Mary, “and went away into a desert place apart, 
in order to mourn over the fate of his bold and 
holy forerunner.” In the meanwhile, the disci- 
ples of John Baptist, believing that the murder of 
their prophet was but the first blow of a general 
slaughter, lied into the deserts, and sought Jesus 
to protect and counsel them. At length he found 
himself surrounded by a great multitude, who 
had fled from the cities, chiefly of John’s disciples, 
besides many who came to hear him preach, and 
be healed of him. The place was a desert, and far 
from any town. Forgetful of all else, save fol- 
lowing Jesus, they were without food. “Which,” 
says John, writing to Rabbi Amos, “we who were 
his disciples seeing, suggested that Jesus should 
send them away to the villages to buy themselves 
victuals. But Jesus answered us and said quietly: 

“They need not go away — give ye them to 
eat.’ 

“And Simon said, ‘Master, where can we get 
bread for so many? There is verily here an army 
to be fed, and we have among us but five loaves 
and two small fishes.’ Upon hearing this, Jesus 
said, ‘It is enough; bring them hither to me.’ 


192 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


“We collected the bread and fishes, and I, my- 
self, laid them upon a rock before Jesus. He 
then said to us, ‘Command the multitude to sit 
down on the grass."" And when they were all 
seated he took the five loaves, and laying his 
hands upon them and upon the two fishes, he 
looked up to heaven and blessed them ; and then 
breaking them into fragments, he gave them to 
us, his disciples, and bade us distribute to the 
people. As often as we would return for more, 
we found the loaves and the fishes undiminished, 
and I saw with wonder how when he would 
break off a piece of one of the fishes, or of a loaf, 
the same part would immediately be seen thereon 
as if it had not been separated; and in this man- 
ner he continued to break and distribute to us 
for nearly an hour, until all ate as much as they 
would, and were filled; and when no one de- 
manded more, and he ceased to break, he com- 
manded us to gather up the fragments which 
lay by his side, which he had piled up about him 
as rapidly as he broke them off, and they were 
twelve baskets full, over and above what was 
needed. The number that were thus miraculously 
fed was about five thousand men, besides nearly 
an equal number of women and children. And 
this mighty Prophet, who could thus feed an 
army, voluntarily suffered forty days and nights 
the pangs of hunger in the desert! He seems 
both a man in suffering, and a God in creating!’^ 
This wonderful miracle, my dear father, is one 
that has too many witnesses to be denied. He 
who could feed five thousand could feed all men! 


THE TRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. lOS 


Must not He then, who could feed all mankind,, 
be divine? Surely, this must be the Son of Godl 
If I should mention to you all the miracles which 
have been done by him, I should fill many let- 
ters. Not a day passes that we do not hear of 
some more extraordinary exhibition of his. 
power than the preceding. Every morning, when 
men meet in the market places, or in the courts 
of the Temple, the first inquiry is, ‘Vhat new 
wonder has he performed? Have you heard of 
another miracle of this mighty Prophet?’’ In- 
deed, so great is the interest here felt to see 
Jesus and witness his miracles, that where one 
went to hear John preach in the wilderness of 
Jordan, ten go to see Christ in Galilee. The 
priests alone are offended, and speak evil of him 
through envy. They say that he draws off peo- 
ple from the sacrifices; that he is preaching 
another law than that of Moses; that he eats 
with sinners ; that he enters the houses of Samar- 
itans; and that he loveth Galilee rather than Jeru- 
salem, which they contend, is an evidence that 
he is not the Christ who was ''to come to the 
Temple and send forth his law from Jerusalem.” 

They have even gone so far as to assert that 
he performs his miracles by magic and the aid of 
Beelzebub, the Prince of the devils. "If w^e suf- 
fer him to take men’s minds as he doth,” said 
Caiaphas to Rabbi Amos yesterday, when he 
heard that Jesus had walked on the sea to join 
his disciples in their ship, and stilled a tempest 
with a word, "the worship in the Temple will be 


194 THE PlllNCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


at an end, and the sacrifice will cease. He draw- 
eth all men unto him.’' 

Herod having, as I have said, slain John, and 
hearing soon after of the fame of Jesus, said to 
Herodia: 'This is John Baptist risen from the 
dead, and therefore do mighty works show forth 
themselves in him.” 

"If he rise from the dead threescore and ten 
times, I will have his head,” answered Herodia; 
whereon Herod privately sent to Jesus, suppos- 
ing him to be John Baptist, to keep in the parts 
of Galilee where he was. The Levites and 
Scribes of the city contend that he is Elias, who 
it is prophesied must come and restore all things 
before Messias. Others believe that he is Isaiah, 
or Jeremiah, raised from the dead; and some say 
one thing, and others another thing. They are 
willing to believe Jesus to be everything but 
that which he is, viz., the true Christ, Son of the 
Highest. 

You have asked, dear father, in your letter. 
Where is Elias, who is to precede Messias, ac- 
cording to the Prophet Malachi?” This ques- 
tion Jesus himself has answered, says John, 
when some Rabbis put it to him. He answered 
them thus : 

"Elias has come already, and ye have done 
unto him whatsoever ye listed.” 

"Dost thou speak of John the Baptist?” asked 
those about him when they heard this. 

"John came in the spirit and power of Elias, 
and therefore was he thus called by the prophet,” 
was the answer of Jesus. 


THE PKINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 195 


I have written you mainly of the miracles of 
Jesus, dear father, as being evidences conclusive 
of his divine power and authority to teach and 
restore Israel. I have said little of his teaching, 
as I have not yet heard him; but I have heard 
those who have listened to him repeat much that 
he has taught them. Such words of wisdom, 
such pureness of teaching, such holy precepts, 
and divine instruction, never fell from lips of man. 
Oh, when shall I be so blessed as to hear his 
voice, and hang on the eloquence of his lips! I 
envy all who have heard him speak. 

I did not tell you that besides the six disciples 
whom I have named, he has chosen six others, 
which twelve he keeps near his person as his 
more favored followers, and whom he daily in- 
structs in the doctrines he came down from heav- 
en to teach. Of the thousands who never weary 
going from place to place in his train, he has 
selected seventy men, whom he dispatched by 
twos into every city and village of Judea, com- 
manding them to proclaim the kingdom of God 
as at hand, and that the time when men every- 
where should repent and turn to God, had come. 

Thus you see, my dear father, that the solitary 
and unknown young man, who was baptized not 
a year since in Jordan, is now wielding more in- 
fluence in the land than the Roman Procurator 
Pilate, or Herod. Nay, not many days since, 
after he had fed another multitude by a miracle, 
the people would have him made a king by force; 
but he withdrew from the press, and retired into a 
mountain alone, to escape this honor. There- 


196 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID.. 

fore, dear father, he is no ambitious leader. His 
kingdom, if he is to be a king, is not to be re- 
ceived as the gift of men. Yet that he will be a 
Xing is as certain as that he is the Christ; for 
the prophecy says that Messias '‘shall sit upon 
the throne of his father David.’’ Who can look 
into the future and behold the limit of his glory? 
Already by faith I see him crowned by the same 
mighty God who proclaimed from heaven that he 
was his beloved Son, crowned King of kings and 
Lord of lords; with his throne upon Mount Zion, 
and the nations of the earth tributary to his scep- 
tre of righteousness, and illimitable dominion. 
He is the stone cut out of a rock without hands, 
that shall fill the whole earth. 

You may charge me with being enthusiastic, 
my dear father; but if Jesus be the Christ, earth 
has no language that can express the splendor of 
his reign. 

It is now commonly reported that he will be 
here at the Passover. I shall then behold him, 
and like the wise men, I shall worship him with 
mingled awe and love. I will again write you, 
dear father, after I see and hear him. Till then, 
believe me your affectionate daughter, 

ADINA. ' 


LETTER XVI. 


My Dear Father: — While I write, the city is 
agitated like a tumultuous sea. The loud mur- 
murs of the multitudes in the streets, and even in 
the distant market place, reach my startled ears. 
A cohort of Roman cavalry has just thundered 
past toward the Temple, where the uproar is 
greatest; for a rumor of an insurrection begun 
among the people, has come to Pilot the Procu- 
rator. But this is no insurrection against the 
Roman authority, dear father; alas, our people, 
who were once God’s people and the masters of 
the East, are now too servile and submissive to 
their pagan masters, the Romans, to lift up a 
finger to remove their degrading yoke! Would 
that it were a movement for the liberties of 
Judea! The occasion of the tumult, which seems 
to increase each moment, is an extraordinary act 
of power on the part of the new prophet, Jesus, 
that name become, by means of my pen, so 
familiar to you, — a name at which, I can say 


198 THE PEINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


without enthusiasm, every knee will yet bow, 
both of Jew and Gentile! I will relate to you the 
circumstances; for this act of power from him is 
another proof of his divine mission. 

In my last letter, dear father, I stated that it 
was commonly reported that this wonderful man 
would be up to the Passover, and that all men 
were talking of the approaching event, and really 
thinking more of his presence here, than of the 
Passover itself. Nay, it was said that many who 
would not otherwise be in Jerusalem, would 
come hither in order, to see him, and to witness 
some new miracle; and to-day Rabbi Amos says 
the number of strangers in the city is hitherto 
unprecedented. 

Yesterday my cousin John came unexpectedly 
into the hall of the fountain, in the rear of the 
house, where we were all seated in the cool of the 
vines, with w^hich Mary’s taste has covered a wall 
of trellis-work. Uncle Amos was in the act of 
reading to us from the Prophet Jeremiah, a 
prophecy relating to the Messias that is to come 
(nay, that is come, dear father), when John ap- 
peared. Mary’s blushes welcomed him, and 
showed how dear he was to her. Uncle Amos 
embraced and kissed him and seated him by us, 
and called for a slave to bathe his feet, for he was 
dusty and travel-worn. From him we learned 
that his beloved master, Jesus, had reached Beth- 
any, and was reposing from his fatigues at the 
hospitable* though humble house of Lazarus, 
Mary and Martha. When we heard this we were 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 199 


all very glad; and uncle Amos particularly 
seemed to experience the deepest satisfaction. 

, “If he comes into Jerusalem/’ said he, warmly, 
“he shall be my guest. Bid him to my roof, O 
John, that my household may be blessed in hav- 
ing a Prophet of. God step across its threshold.” 

“Oh, by all means do not forget to ask him to 
remain through the Passover with us,” exclaimed 
Mary, earnestly looking up into the young dis- 
ciple’s face, and laying her hands confidingly 
upon his wrist. 

“I will tell my beloved Master thy wish. Rabbi 
Amos,” answered John. “Doubtless, as he has 
no home, nor friends in the city, he will remain 
under your roof.” 

“Say not no friends!” I exclaimed. “We are 
all his friends here, and fain would be his dis- 
ciples.” 

“What! Rabbi Amos also?” cried John, with 
a glance of pleasurable surprise at the venerable 
Priest of God. 

“Yes, I am ready; after all that I have heard 
and seen, I am ready to confess him a Prophet 
sent from God.” 

“Yes, he is more than a prophet, O Rabbi 
Amos!” answered John. “Never prophet does 
the works Jesus does. It seems that all power is 
at his command. If you witnessed what I wit- 
ness daily, as he traverses Judea, you would say 
that he was Jehovah descended to earth in human 
form!” 

“Nay, do not blaspheme, young man,” said 
Rabbi Amos, with some severity of reproof. 


200 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


John bowed his head in reverence to the re- 
buke of the Rabbi, but nevertheless answered re- 
spectfully and firmly, “Never man did like him. 
If he be not God in the flesh, he is an angel in 
flesh invested wifh divine power.’' 

“If he be the Messias,” I said, “he cannot be 
an angel; for are not the prophecies clear that 
Messias shall be 'a man of sorrows?’ Is he not 
to be flhe seed of the woman?’ a man and not an 
angel?” 

“Yes,” answered John, “you remember well 
the prophecies. I firmly believe Jesus to be the 
Messiah, the Son of God. Yet, what he is more 
than man, what he is less than God, is incompre- 
hensible to me and to my fellow-disciples. We 
wonder, love, and adore ! At one moment we 
feel like embracing him into our arms as a 
brother deary beloved; at another, we are ready 
to fall at his feet and worship him ! I have seen 
him weep at beholding the miseries of the dis- 
eased wretches which were dragged into his 
presence, and then with a touch — with a word, 
heal them: and they would stand before him in 
the purity and beauty of health and strong man- 
hood! I have seen him with a voice of com- 
mand, as never man spake, expel devils from 
those who were possessed by them; and I have 
heard the devils submissively beg not to be sent 
to their own place, but to be permitted by him to 
remain roaming still in the air and on the earth, 
until the hour of their final sentence shall pro- 
ceed from the lips of God. Even the devils are 
thus subject unto him, so mighty is his power; 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 201 


and all diseases disappear before his eye, like the 
foul air of the fens before the beams of the morn- 
ing sun!'' 

“And yet," said Nicodemus, a rich Pharisee 
listened without interrupting, for it is his wont 
to come in and out as he will, being a friend of 
my uncle, “and yet, young man, I heard you say 
that Jesus, of whom you and all men relate such 
mighty deeds, has remained at Bethany to re- 
cover from his fatigue. How can a man who 
holds all sickness in his power be subject to mere 
weariness of body? I would say unto him, Phy- 
sician, heal thyself!" 

This was spoken with a tone of incredulity by 
this learned ruler of the Jews; and stroking his 
snowy beard, he waited of John a reply; for like 
many of the chief men, nay, most of them, he was 
hard to believe all he heard of Jesus; for as yet 
he had not seen him; nor would he be likely to 
visit him were he to come into the city, in order 
to see for himself, lest his popularity among the 
Jews be diminished; for he is a man of remark- 
able ambition, and aims one day to be the chief 
governor of the people; therefore though he 
should really be convinced that Jesus is the Mes- 
sias, I fear he would not have candor enough, 
for fear of the Jews, to confess it. Such is my 
opinion of my uncle's friend, the rich and 
powerful Pharisee. But John answered him and 
said : 

“So far as I can learn the character and power 
of Jesus, his power over diseases is not for his 
own good, but for the benefit of the multitude. 


202 THE riHNCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


He uses his power to work miracles to do good 
to others from love and compassion, and to show 
forth the divine power in him. His miracles are 
used only as the proofs of his Messiahship. Be- 
ing a man with this divine power dwelling in him, 
for us, he is subject to infirmities as a man; he 
hungers, thirsts, wearies, suffers, as a man. I 
have seen him heal a nobleman's son and restore 
him to strength and activity by a word, and the 
next moment seat himself, supporting his aching 
head upon his hand, looking pale and languid, 
and without strength; for his labors of love are 
vast, and he is often overcome by them, those 
who follow him to be healed not giving him time 
to repose at night. Once, Simon Peter, seeing 
him ready to sink with very weariness, after heal- 
ing all day, asked him and said: ‘Master, thou 
givest strength to others, why suffer thyself 
when all health and strength are in thee, as in a 
living well, to be weary!' 

‘It IS not mine to escape human infirmities 
by any power my Father hath bestowed upon me 
for the good of men. It behooves me to suffer 
all things. Through suffering only can I draw 
all men after me!' " 

John said this so sadly, as if he were repeating 
the very tones in which Jesus had spoken it, that 
we all remained silent for a few moments. I felt 
tears fill my eyes, and I was glad to see the proud 
Pharisee, Nicodemus, looked moved. After a 
full minute's serious pause, he said: 

“This man is doubtless no common prophet. 
When he conies into the city I shall be glad to 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 203 


hear from his own mouth his doctrines, and to 
witness some potent miracle.'' 

“Surely," said Amos, “if he be in truth a 
prophet, we ought not to reject him. We ought 
to examine fairly his claims to be sent from God 
to our people." 

' “Certainly," answered Nicodemus, “we Phar- 
isees are ready to give him a fair. hearing. It 
would seem that by coming to Jerusalem from 
the provinces, where hitherto he has been 
preaching and doing miracles, he means to 
challenge the whole people to acknowledge him 
as a prophet." 

“Prophet he is, without doubt," answered 
Amos. “It is not the question now whether he 
be a prophet or not, for the hundreds he has 
healed are living witnesses that he has the spirit 
and power of the old prophets, and is truly a 
prophet. The question that remains is, whether 
he be the Messiah, or not?" 

Nicodemus slowly and negatively shook his 
head, and then answered : 

“Messias cometh not out of Galilee." 

“He will prove himself to be Messias with 
power," answered my cousin John, with zeal. 
“When you hear him speak. Rabbi Nicodemus, 
the grace of his lips, and the depths of his wis- 
dom, will charm you into belief; and without 
miracles you will acknowledge that he is the 
Christ." 

At this moment, a sudden, wild, joyful cry from 
Mary, thrilled our nerves, and, looking towards 
the door, we saw her folded in the arms of a 


204 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


young man whom I had never seen before. My 
surprise had not time to form itself into any def- 
inite opinion of what I saw, when I beheld the 
young man, who was exceedingly handsome, and 
the picture of health, after kissing the clinging 
Mary upon her cheeks, leave her to throw him- 
self into the arms of Rabbi Amos, crying: 

'‘My father, my dear father!’’ 

My uncle, who had stood amazed, and wonder- 
ingly gazing on him, as if he could not believe 
what his eyes beheld, now burst into profound 
expressions of grateful joy, and as he clasped the 
young stranger to his heart, fell upon his neck, 
and wept, with scarcely power to articulate the 
words : 

"My son! my son! Lost, but found again! 
This is the Lord’s doing, and is marvelous in our 
eyes.” 

John also embraced the new-comer, while the 
Ruler stood silent with wonder. Who the young 
man was whose arrival was producing such 
emotion, and why he should be hailed as a son 
by my uncle Amos, I had no idea; and while I 
was looking bewildered upon the scene, Mary 
ran and said to me, with tears of gladness shin- 
ing in her dark eyes: 

"It is Benjamin, my lost brother, beloved 
Adina!” 

"I did not know you had a brother,” I an- 
swered in surprise. 

"We have long regarded him as dead,” she 
replied, with mingled emotions. "Seven years 
ago he became lunatic, and fled to the tombs 




















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THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 205 


without the city, where he has long dwelt with 
many others who were possessed with devils. 
For years he has been a madman, and has neither 
spoken to nor known us, and we have tried to 
forget that he lived, since to remember, it made 
us miserable, without hope of his restoration. 
But oh, now behold him! It seems a vision! 
See how manly, noble, like himself, he is, with 
the same sweet smile and smiling eyes.’’ 

She then flew to take him by the hand and lead 
him towards me, all eyes being fixed upon him, 
as if he had been a spirit. 

When he saw their wondering gaze, he said: 

“It is I, both son and brother to those dearest 
to me. I am in my right mind, and well.’’ 

“Who has effected this change, so extraordi- 
nary, oh, my son?” inquired Rabbi Amos, with 
trembling lips, and keeping his hand on Benja- 
min’s shoulder, as if he feared he would vanish 
away. 

“It was Jesus, the Prophet of the Highest,” 
answered he, with solemn gratitude. 

“Jesus!” we all exclaimed in one voice. 

“I could have said so,” answered cousin John, 
calmly. “I needed not to ask who had effected 
this great work upon him. Nicodemus, thou 
knowest this young man well! thou hast known 
him in childhood, and beheld him in the madness 
of his lunacy, among the tombs. Dost thou 
doubt now, whether Jesus be the very Christ?” 

Nicodemus made no reply; but I saw from the 
expression of his face that he believed. 

“How was this thing done to thee, young 


206 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


man?'’ he asked, with a deep interest and visible 
emotion. 

“I was wandering near Bethany this morning,'’ 
answered the lost and restored one, with modesty 
and feeling, ''when I beheld a crowd which I 
madly followed. As I drew near, I beheld in 
their midst a man, whom I had no sooner cast 
my eyes upon, than I felt seize me an ungovern- 
able propen sit}^ to destroy him. The same fury 
possessed seven others, my comrades in madness, 
and together, with one mind and will, we rushed 
upon him, with great stones and knives in our 
hands. The crowd gave way and fell back 
aghast, and called him to save himself. But he 
moved not, but, left alone in a wide space, stood 
calmly awaiting us. We were within a few feet 
of him, and I was nearest, ready to strike him to 
the earth, when he quietly lifted one finger, and 
said '‘Peace!” We stood immovable, without 
power to stir a foot, while our rage and hatred 
increased with our inability to harm him. We 
howled and foamed at the mouth before him, for 
we then knew that He was the Son of God, come 
to destroy us. 

" 'Come out of the men, and depart quickly!’ 
he said, in a tone of command, as if to us, but 
really to the demons within us. At his word I 
fell at his feet in a dreadful convulsion, and my 
whole body writhed, as if it had been wrestling 
with an invisible demon. Jesus then stooped 
and laid his hand upon my brow, and said, 'Son, 
arise! Thou art made whole!’ 

"At these w^ords a black cloud seemed to be 


THE PKINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. *207 


lifted from my mind, and to disappear,; the glory 
of a new existence appeared to dawn upon my 
soul, while his voice melted my heart within me. 
Bursting into tears, the first I have shed for 
seven years, 1 fell at his feet and kissed them, and 
embraced them, wholly overcome with a new 
sense of peace, and of inward happiness 
unspeakable. 

‘Go thy way, and fear God, that thou fall not 
a second time into this captivity to Satan!' he 
said, raising me to my feet. I then followed him, 
rejoicing and blessing God, until he entered the 
house of a Centurion, near Bethany, when I 
hastened hither, to gladden your hearts with the 
sight of me restored to my right mind." 

When Benjamin had done speaking, we all 
gave glory to God, who had given him back to 
us, and who had sent so great a prophet among 
men. As Nicodemus took his leave, I overheard 
him, congratulating the happy father, say, that he 
should embrace the first opportunity to have an 
interview with Jesus; and when my uncle told 
him that he hoped to entertain the mighty 
Prophet as his guest, the Ruler desired permis- 
sion to visit him here upon his arrival, ^‘but 
secretly," I heard him add, in Rabbi Amos's ear, 
as he took his leave. 

I commenced this letter, dearest father, by an 
allusion to a great commotion, which is agitating 
the whole city, and which was caused by an act 
of power on the part of the Prophet Jesus, who, 
this morning, two hours ago, entered the city, 
and proceeded at once to the Temple, followed 


^08 • THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

through the streets by an innumerable multitude, 
such as was never known in Jerusalem before. 
But as I have taken up so much of this letter 
in relating what passed yesterday in the hall of 
the Fountain, I will leave the account of the 
tumult, the voices of which are still to be heard, 
for my next letter, which I shall write this even- 
ing; for now, that all events are so interesting 
connected with the great Prophet Christ, I shall 
write to you almost daily, that I may keep you 
advised of all things that come to pass, even as 
you desired me to do. This request, dear father, 
Filed me with joy. It was an assurance to me 
that you have begun to take an interest in these 
wonderful things concerning Messias, and it 
leads me secretly to hope that you may yet be- 
lieve in Him, and accept Flim as the Anointed 
One of God, which, without doubt, he is, as both 
liis words and his mighty works do testify. 

When I get a package of letters made up, I 
shall send them by Israel Ben Judah, with the 
caravan that leaves eight days after the Passover. 

May the God of our Fathers be with you, and 
bless you, and all the holy people of the Promise. 

Your loving daughter. 


ADINA. 


LETTER XVII. 


My Dear Father: — The last letter which I sent 
to you, was written during an extraordinary 
tumult which prevailed in the city, an account of 
which I promised to give you in the present one. 
I will do so now. When, on the morning of the 
Passover, it was noised abroad that the Prophet 
of Galilee was entering the city by the gate of 
Jericho, the whole city was stirred, and from the 
houses and shops poured forth crowds, which 
turned their steps in that direction. Mary and I 
went upon the house-top, hoping to see some- 
thing; but far and near was visible only a sea of 
heads, from which a deep murmuring arose, like 
the ceaseless voice of the ocean chafing upon a 
rocky shore. The top of the gate-way was 
visible from the place where we stood; but it was 
black with the people who had crowded upon it 
to look down. There was heard, at length, an 
immense shout, as of one voice, which was fol- 


210 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

lowed by a swaying and onward pressure of the 
crowds. 

“The prophet must have entered the gate/’ 
said my cousin Mary, breathlessly. “How they 
do him honor! It is the reception of a king!” 

We were in hopes he would pass by our house, 
as we were on one of the chief thoroughfares; but 
were disappointed, as he took the way round the 
foot of Mount Zion, and ascended the hill of 
Moriah to the Temple. A part of the ascent to 
the house of the Lord is visible from our roof, 
and we had the satisfaction of seeing the Prophet 
at a distance. We knew him, only because he 
was ill advance, and the people, while they 
walked near him, yet left him a little space. The 
Highest one to him, Mary said, was her cousin 
John, though at the distance I could not have 
recognized him; but the eyes of maidenly affec- 
tion, though mild as the dove’s, are as piercing 
as the eagle’s. The head of the multitude dis- 
appeared beneath the arch of the Temple, and 
thousands upon thousands followed after ; and, in 
the rear, rode the young Roman Centurion, 
whom I have before spoken of, at the head of 
four hundred horse, to keep order in the vast 
mass. Mary could not recognize him, saying it 
was too far to tell who he was; but I knew him, 
not only by his air and bearing, but by his scarlet 
pennon, that fluttered from hi-s iron lance, and 
which I had bestowed upon him ; for he told me 
he had lost one his fair Roman sister, Tullia, had 
given him, and, as he so much regretted its loss, 
I supplied its place by another, worked by my 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


211 


own hands. As this was an act of kindness only, 
to a stranger, dear father, I know you will not 
disapprove of it ; though being done for an idola- 
ter may not please you. But I am full of hope, 
dear father, that this noble and excellent youth 
m.ay yet become a Jew; for he loves to listen to 
my teachings from the Prophets, and last week 
he told me that he could never weary hearing me 
read to him from the books of Moses, and from 
the sublime Psalms of King David; which, he 
says, surpass any poems, either in his own 
tongue, or the Greek. Thus, by attention and 
forbearance I assuredly believe that he may be 
led to renounce his idolatrous faith, and become 
a worshiper of the God of Hosts. 

The multitude, as many as could gain admis- 
sion, having entered the great gate of the 
Temple, for a few minutes there was a profound 
stillness. Mary said: 

“He is worshiping, or sacrificing, now.” 

“Perhaps,” I said, “he is addressing the people, 
and they listen to his words.” 

While 1 was speaking, there arose from the 
bosom of the Temple, a loud, irregular, strange 
outcry, of a thousand voices, pitched to high 
excitement. The people without the gate 
responded by a universal shout, and then we be- 
held those nighest the walls retreat down the hill- 
side in terrified confusion, while, to increase the 
tumult, the Roman horse charged up the hill, 
seeking to penetrate through the masses, to 
reach the gate out of which the people poured 
like a living and tempest-tossed river, before 


212 THE rmxcE of the house of david. 

which the head of the cohort recoiled, or was 
overwhelmed and down-trodden! I held my 
breath in dreadful suspense, not knowing the 
cause of the fearful scene we beheld, nor to what 
it might lead. Mary, who knew both her father, 
and her cousin and betrothed were exposed to 
whatsoever danger was threatening those who 
had gone into the Temple, became overcome by 
her apprehensions of evil to them, and, burying 
her face in her hands, she sunk down almost in- 
sensible by my side. My attention was then 
drawn to her, away from the scene on Mount 
Moriah, and, leading her down into the apart- 
ments of the house, I saw no more of what fol- 
lowed. But a quarter of an hour had not passed, 
when Samuel Ben Azel, who had, the day before, 
come up from Nain, to the Passover, with his 
mother, who is a distant relative of Rabbi 
Amos, entered, and explained to us the cause of 
the scene I had witnessed, assuring Mary, at the 
same time, of the safety, both of her cousin and 
her father. His account was thus: 

“The Prophet Jesus having entered into the 
Temple, with the multitudes following him to see 
what he would do, found all the courts filled with 
merchants, changers of money, and sellers of 
cattle to the sacrificers. Portions of the sacred 
place were divided off by fences, in which thous- 
ands of sheep and cattle were stalled; and be- 
tween almost every two colunms of the vast por- 
tico, sat at their tables, men, whose business it 
was to change the foreign money brought by the 
Jews from Greece, Egypt, Elam, Parthia, and 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 213 


Africa, who had come up to the Passover, for 
Jerusalem and Roman coin, which only the sell- 
ers of the cattle and sheep will receive for what 
they sell. On his way to the inner Temple, the 
Prophet found his path so obstructed by the 
stalls and the tables of the brokers, that he had 
to go round them, and often turn back and take 
a less hedged-up avenue. At length, finding 
upon the very lintel of the Court of the Priests, a 
priest himself engaged at a table as a money- 
changer, and near him a Levite, keeping a stall 
for selling doves and sparrows to the worshipers, 
he stopped upon the step, and, turning round, 
cast his calm, terrible eye (for it was terrible then, 
mild as it was before), over the scene of noisy 
commerce and bartering. Every face was turned 
towards him in expectation. The half-completed 
bargain was suspended, and buyer and seller di- 
rected their gaze, as by a sort of fascination, not 
unmingled with a strange awe and fear, upon 
him. Those who had crowded about him, drew 
back farther and farther, slowly, but irresistibly 
widening the space between them and him, they 
knew not by what impulse, till he stood alone, 
save nearest him was John, his disciple. The 
uproar of buying and selling suddenly subsided, 
and even the loud lowing of the cattle, and the 
bleeting of the sheep, stopped, as if a supernat- 
ural awe had seized even the brute creation at 
his presence; and only the soft cooing of doves 
stirred the vast, death-like stillness of the place, 
but a moment before a scene of oaths, cries, 
shouts, running to and fro, buying and selling. 


214 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


the ringing of money, and the buzz of ten thous- 
and voices. It was as if a hurricane, sweeping 
with deafening uproar of the elements over the 
lashed ocean, had been suddenly arrested, and 
followed by a great calm. The silence was dread- 
ful! It stopped the very beating of my heart. 
Every eye of the vast multitude seemed to fasten 
itself on the Prophet, in expectation of some 
dread event. I thought of the world hereafter to 
be assembled before the tribunal of Jehovah, 
awaiting their sentence. The step of the Temple 
upon which he stood seemed to be a throne, and 
the people before him expecting judgment. 
Suddenly, the silence, which had become op- 
pressive, was broken by a young man near me, 
who gave vent to his feelings by a piercing 
shriek, and fell insensible upon the marble floor. 
There was a general thrill of horror, yet the same 
awful stillness succeeded this startling interrup- 
tion. That one intense shriek had spoken for us 
all, given expression and outlet to what we all 
felt. Suddenl}^, the voice of the Prophet was 
heard, clear, authoritative, and ringing like the 
trumpet that shook Sinai when the Law was 
given, and made all the people to quake: 

Tt is written, my Father’s house shall be 
called a House of Prayer! but ye have made it a 
den of thieves!’ 

“He then picked up from the pavement at his 
feet a small cord, which some one had thrown 
down, and, doubling it in the form of a scourge, 
he advanced. Before him fled the changers of 
money, priest, and Levite, sellers of oxen, sellers 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 215 


of sheep, and sellers of doves, escaping in such 
haste from the terrible displeasure of his counte- 
nance, that they left their property to its fate, 
seeking only their personal safety. 

‘Take these things hence,’ he cried, 'make 
not my Father’s house a house of merchandise!’ 

"Such a scene of confusion and flight was 
never witnessed as now followed! The whole 
mass was in retrograde motion. I was borne 
along with the current. Money-tables were 
overturned on all sides; but not the most avari- 
cious thought, at that moment, of stopping to 
gather any of the gold and silver which the rush- 
ing thousands trampled beneath their feet. It 
was not the whip of small cords before which we 
fled, for he touched no man therewith; but it was 
from his presence! We were driven like chaff 
before him. To the eyes of all, the little whip 
seemed to blaze and flash above their heads, as if 
it were the fiery sword of the destroying angel. 
Nothing but terror, flight, escape, was thought 
of. In a few moments, the Priest’s Court of the 
Temple was cleared of every soul, and we were 
driven across the Court of Israel, and the broader 
Court of the Gentiles, towards the south gate. 
On looking back, I saw that the prophet no 
longer pursued, but stood alone. Master and 
Lord of the Temple. The whip was no longer 
in his hand; and his whole attitude and expres- 
sion of face was changed from that of their late 
terrible power, to an air of the profoundest com- 
passion, as he looked after us, still flying from his 
presence. 


216 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


“But I had no time to marvel at this extraor- 
dinary change, for the multitude still sought to 
escape, and bore me onward, and I lost sight of 
him. At the gate we were met by a cohort of 
Pilate’s cavalry, and pressed backward into the 
Temple. The scene now became appalling. 
What, with the Roman spears in front, and the 
Prophet behind, the multitude fearing to go 
either way, trode one upon another, trampled the 
weak under foot, and filled the air with curses, 
shrieks, and horrible outcries, of mingled pain, 
rage and terror. How I escaped, I know not,” 
added Samuel, as he completed his narration, 
“but, on ending rnyselt outside of the gate, I at 
once, with hundreds, sought shelter in the city, 
and happy am I to have reached this place of 
security; for the Romans are scouring the streets, 
driving all the. people into their houses.” 

When Samuel had ended, and we were won- 
dering at this new exhibition of the mighty power 
of the Prophet Jesus, the street in front of our 
dwelling was filled with persons seeking their 
homes. Some cried, “the terrible Prophet!” 
others, “the Romans!” and some, by their out- 
cries, seemed to fly from equal fear of both. In 
the midst of this tumult, dear father, I sat down 
to write you my last letter, while the events were 
fresh, and lest other events should come in and 
crowd these from my mind. 

Ah, my dear father, Jesus of Nazareth must be, 
indeed, invested with powers divine! He, who, 
with a word and a look, for the whip in his hand 
could not, says Rabbi Amos, have hurt a child. 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 217 


can thus impel thousands of men before him^ 
could make the whole world fly from the terrible 
majesty of his presence! My uncle, Rabbi 
Amos, who, on his return from the Temple, cor^ 
roborated what Samuel had stated, added, that as 
Jesus stood alone, possessor of the gold-strewn 
floors of the Courts of the Temple, the High 
Priest advanced towards him, and with awe, not 
unmixed with anger, demanded of him by what 
authority he did these things, seeing that he took 
upon himself to purify the Temple. 

His answer was, “My Father’s House must 
not be made a house of merchandise. Zeal for 
the glory of Flis Temple hath caused me to do 
these things.” 

“Art thou the Christ?” asked the High Priest, 
still standing some distance off from him. 

“If I tell thee that I am, ye will not believe.” 

“When Christ shall come, he will restore all 
things,” answered the High Priest. 

“And I have begun this restoration by expel- 
ling from the Temple those who defile it, and 
restoring it to be a House of Prayer, according 
as my father hath ordained.” 

“And who is thy father?” asked Caiaphas. 

“God is my Father; and to do His will am I 
sent into the world. I came not of myself, but 
my Father sent me. It is written of me, 'He 
shall suddenly come to His Temple, and be as a 
purifier and refiner of silver.’ 

“What sign showest thou that thou art sent, 
and hast authority to do what thou doest here 
to-day within the Temple?” 


218 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


‘‘Hast thou not had proof of my power from 
heaven/’ answered Jesus, stretching forth his 
hand towards the still terror-stricken multitude. 
“Destroy this temple, and in three days I will 
raise it up! Be this to you, and all Judea, the 
sign that I am sent by my Father, who is in 
heaven. As He hath given me commandment, 
so I do!” 

At this there was a great murmuring, said 
Rabbi Amos, for many of the priests, with Annas 
also, had got boldness, and drew near to hear. 

“He cannot be a just man,” said Annas, “nor 
doth he honor God, if he would have us destroy 
the Temple!” 

“Yet, if he be not sent of God, whence hath he 
tiiis power over men?” answered another. 

“He doeth this by Beelzebub, whose prophet 
he doubtless is,” said Annas, in a loud tone, “for 
a true prophet would not seek the destruction of 
God’s holy House!” 

Thereupon, there was a multitude of voices, 
some crying one thing, and some another; but 
the most part asserting their belief that Jesus was 
a just man and divine prophet. Caiaphas at 
length obtained silence, and said to him : 

“Tell us plainly — Art thou the Christ, the Son 
cf the Blessed, that we may believe in Thee?” 

“I am!” calmly and firmly answered the 
Prophet; and, raising his eyes to heaven, he 
added, impressively, “I am come down from 
God!” 

When, adds my uncle, Annas heard this, he 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


219 


lifted up his voice in an exclamation of horror^ 
and, rending his clothes, he cried out: 

“Hear ye this blasphemer! Let us cast him 
forth from the Temple, which he pollutes!'’ 

But no man dareth approach the Prophet, 
whose mighty power had so recently been . ex- 
pressed in the expulsion of the merchants and 
buyers from that sacred place. 

“Bear witness," then said he, sorrowfully, 
rather than in anger, “that I have come unto my 
own, and ye have received me not! This Temple 
of my Father, from which you would drive me 
forth, shall no longer be the dwelling-place and 
altar of Jehovah. The day cometh when your 
priesthood shall be taken away and given to 
others, and among the Gentiles shall arise to my 
Father's name, on every hill, and in every valley 
of the earth, holy temples, wherein he shall de- 
light to dwell; and men shall no longer need to 
to worship God in Zion, but in all places shall 
prayer and praise be offered to the Most High. 
This Temple, which ye have polluted, shall be 
thrown down, till not one stone remaineth stand- 
ing upon another; and ye shall be scattered, be- 
cause ye knew not the time of your visitation?" 

Thus speaking, the Prophet quitted the 
Temple, leaving the High Priest, and priests, and 
Levites, standing gazing after him, without 
power to utter a word. Rabbi Amos, who saw 
and heard all this, says that nothing could have 
been more striking than the contrast presented 
between the two men, the High Priest and Jesus 


220 THE PKINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

(if it be lawful to call him a man, dear father), as 
they talked with each other; the one clothed m 
magnificent garments, with a glittering tiara 
upon his brows, his port lofty and proud, his hair 
and beard white as snow, and his whole appear- 
ance majestic and splendid with outward rich- 
ness! the other, youthful, clad in coarse garments, 
with a gray Galilean mantle folded about him, 
sandals much worn upon his feet, and his whole 
garb mean and covered with the dust of his jour- 
ney on foot from Bethany; while the severe sad- 
ness of his face, which seemed beautifully, and 
touchingly chastened by prayer and suffering, 
contrasted strongly with the stern, harsh face of 
Caiaphas, flushed with anger and envious 
hostility. 

‘'He passed out of the Temple with an even 
pace, neither looking back at his enemies, nor 
followed by them. I beheld John join him, and 
hastened to ask him to invite him to my house, to 
sojourn and eat the Passover with me, but he dis- 
appeared, and I lost sight of him. But, at the 
gate, I encountered a man, leaping and singing, 
whom the Prophet had healed by a touch, as he 
passed out, though the man had been paralytic 
for thirty-one years. Thus does this mighty per- 
son never cease to do good.’' 

Such, my dear father, is the account given by 
Rabbi Amos of what passed in the Temple. 
That Jesus is the Christ, is now beyond question; 
for he has openly acknowledged it to the High 
Priest. 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 221 


Adieu, dearest father. The servants are bring- 
ing in boughs for the booths, and I must close 
this letter, with prayers to our father’s God for 
your peace and welfare. 


ADINA. 


LETTER XVIII. 


My Dear Eather: — The last letter, which I re- 
ceived by the hands of the Roman courier, filled 
me with gratitude, at learning from it your recov- 
ery. When I heard from Ben Israel of your ill 
health, I felt like flying with the wings of a dove 
to reach your pillow, and administer to the com- 
fort of the venerated and loved author of my 
being. The God of our fathers be praised in 
raising you up; and that He may preserve you 
long to me, shall be my daily prayer. 

You say in your letter, dear father, that you 
have read with interest all my letters, and more 
especially those which relate to Jesus of Galilee, 
the mighty Prophet now vouchsafed to Israel. 
You say that you are ready to acknowledge him 
as a prophet sent from God, ''for evidently no 
man could do such great works, except God be 
with him.” "But,” you add, "while I am ready, 
my child, to recognize him as a prophet of the 
Lord, I am far from seeing in him the Messias 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 223 


promised to our people! Aside from the lowli- 
ness of his parentage, and his humility of condi- 
tion, travelling on foot, and without retinue (while 
Messias is to be a Prince and King), he can have 
no claim to be the Christ, because he comes out 
from Galilee. Doth Messias come out of Galilee? 
Let Rabbi Amos, who seems ready, I perceive, 
to acknowledge him as the Christ, let him 
examine the writings of the Prophets, and see! 
Hath not the Scripture said that Christ cometh 
of the seed of David, and out of the town of Beth- 
lehem, where David was? Search and look, for 
no prophet, much less Messias, cometh out of 
Galilee.’’ 

To this objection, dear father, also made, I 
believe, in a previous letter. Rabbi Amos desires 
me to say, that he has investigated the records of 
births kept in the Temple, and finds, as I have 
before named to you, that Jesus was born in 
Bethlehem. Pie afterwards removed, with his 
parents, to Egypt, and thence returning to Judea, 
settled in Galilee, where he was brought up. Of 
these facts in his history, not only Rabbi Amos 
is satisfied, but Nicodemus also, whose learning 
you will not gainsay, and the latter, very much to 
our surprise, and my own delight, added, yester- 
day, when we were talking over the subject at 
supper, ''there is a prophecy, O, Rabbi Amos, 
which strengthens this mighty Prophet’s claim 
to be the Messiah.” 

"What is it? Let me hear all that can 
strengthen!” I asked earnestly; not, dear father. 


224 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


that my confidence in him needs confirmation, 
but I wish others to believe. 

''You will find it in the Prophet Hoseas/’ an- 
swered Nicodemus, "and thus it readeth: 'I 
have called my son out of Egypt.’ These words 
refer to Messias, without question, as say all the 
doctors of the law.” 

"It is a new argument for Jesus, then,” 
answered Rabbi Amos. 

My heart bounded with joy, dear father, at 
hearing this prophecy named; but judge my 
emotions when Nicodemus, taking the roll of the 
Prophet Isaiah in his hand, read the words that 
follow, and applied them to Jesus, "Beyond Jor- 
dan, in Galilee of the Gentiles, the people which 
sat in darkness have seen a great light!” This 
changes the objections to his coming from Egypt 
and from Galilee, into additional proofs of his 
claims to be the Messias. 

I hear you now ask, dear father, with many of 
the rich and influential citizens of Jerusalem, 
"Have the rulers begun to believe in him?” Yes, 
Nicodemus does begin to believe that He is the 
Christ, being more and more assured of it the 
more he examines the divine Scriptures. O, my 
dear father, that you could see Jesus, and hear 
him discourse, as I have done! All your doubts 
would then be dissipated, and you would be will- 
ing to sit at his feet, and learn of him the words 
of life. How shall I describe him — how shall I 
cause you to hear and see him, as I have heard 
and seen? 

In my last letter, I informed you that Rabbi 


THE PIHNCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 225 


Amos had invited him to sojourn with us during* 
the* Passover. John, the cousin of Mary, con- 
veyed to him the invitation of my uncle, and he 
graciously accepted it, and came hither yester- 
day, after he had quitted the Temple, from which 
he had with such commanding power driven 
forth the merchants and money-changers. 

Hearing the rumor flying along the streets, 
'‘The Prophet comes! the Prophet comes!’' 
uttered by hundreds of voices of men and chil- 
dren, I hastened to the house-top, which com- 
manded a view of the street, to the foot of the 
Temple. The whole way was a sea of heads. 
The multitude came rolling onward, like a 
mighty river; as I have seen the dark Nile when 
pouring its freshening floods along its confined 
banks. 

Mary stood by my side. We tried to single 
out, amid the advancing throng, the central per- 
son around whom undulated the sea of heads, 
and whose progress gave occasion to so mighty a 
commotion. But all was so wildly confused with 
the waving of palm branches that we could dis- 
tinguish nothing clearly. While I was straining 
my gaze to make out the form of the Prophet, 
Mary touched me, and bade me look in the oppo- 
site direction. As I did so, I beheld ^milius 
Tullius, the young Roman Centurion, of whom I 
have before spoken, now Prefect of Pilate’s Le- 
gion, advancing at the head of two hundred 
horses, at full spur, in order to meet and turn 
back the advancing column of people. 

As he came opposite the house, he looked up. 


226 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

and seeing us upon the parapet, he gracefully 
waved his gleaming sword, saluting us, and was 
dashing past, when Mary cried out: 

“Noble sir, there is no insurrection, as some of 
the people have doubtless told thee, but this vast 
crowd moving hitherward is only an escort to the 
Prophet of Nazareth, who cometh to be my 
father’s guest.” 

“I have orders from Pilate to arrest him, lady, 
as a disturber of the peace of the capital.” 

“Shall a prophet suffer because his mighty 
deeds draw crowds after his footsteps, noble 
Roman? If thy troops advance, there will be 
collision with the people. If thou wilt withdraw 
them a little, thou wilt see that when the Prophet 
crosses my father’s threshhold, they will go away 
in peace.” 

The Prefect said nothing, but seemed to look 
at me for some words, which seeing, I earnestly 
entreated him to do the Prophet no violence. 

“For thy wishes’ sake, lady, I will here draw 
up my troop ; especially, as I see that the people 
are unarmed.” 

The Centurion gave orders to his horsemen to 
draw up in a line opposite the house. The mul- 
titude now drew near; but many of those in ad- 
vance, seeing the Roman horse, stopped or fell 
back, so that I now beheld Jesus appear in front, 
walking at an even, calm pace, John at his side, 
and also Rabbi Amos was with him. As he 
came nigher, the people, for fear of the long 
Roman spears, fell back, and he advanced, almost 
alone. I saw John point out to him the house. 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 227 


The Prophet raised his face and gazed upon it an 
instant. I saw his features full. His countenance 
was not that of a young man, but of a person past 
the middle age of life, though he is but thirty. 
His dark, brown hair was mingled with gray, and 
in his finely-shaped, oval face were carved, evi- 
dently by care and sorrow, deep lines. His 
beard was black, mingled with gray, and fell 
upon his breast. His large, hazel eyes, appeared 
to be fixed on us both for an instant, with benig- 
nity and peace. Deep sadness, gentle, not stern, 
seemed to be the characteristic expression of his 
noble and princely visage. There was an air of 
manly dignity in his carriage and mien; and as he 
walked amid his followers, he was truly kingly, 
yet simplicity and humility qualified this native 
majesty of port. He seemed to unite both awe 
and love, in those who saw him, to command our 
homage and sympathy. 

As he drew near where the Roman Prefect 
sat upon his horse, the Prophet inclined his body 
slightly, but with a courtesy indescribable, to the 
young chief, who bent low to his saddle-bow in 
acknowledgment, as if to a monarch. We were 
both surprised, as well as gratified, dear father, 
at this act of homage from the Roman knight to 
our Prophet, and I thought more kindly than 
ever of ^milius. 

Passing the horsemen, John and Rabbi Amos 
conducted Jesus to our door; but before they 
reached it, there was a loud cry from several 
harsh voices to the Roman, to arrest him. On 
looking from whence these shouts came, I saw 


228 THE PKIXCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

that they proceeded from several of the priests, 
headed by Annas, who were pressing forward 
through the crowd. 

'‘We call upon you, O Prefect, to arrest this 
man! Shame on thee. Rabbi Amos! Hast thou 
also believed in the imposter? We charge this 
Galilean, O Roman, with having made sedition. 
He has taken possession of the Temple, and, 
unless you see to it, he will have the citadel out 
of your hands. If you arrest him not, we will 
not answer for the consequences that may befall 
the city and the people.’’ 

‘T see nothing to fear from^this man, O ye 
Jews,” answered ASmilius. "He is unarmed, and 
without troops. Stand back; keep ye to your 
Temple. It is from your outcries comes all the 
confusion! Back to your altars! If commo- 
rions arise in the city, Pilate will make you 
accountable. All the rest of the people are 
peaceable, save only yourselves.” 

"We will take our complaint before the Pro- 
curator, cried Annas, who was the chief speaker; 
and, followed by a large company of angry priests 
and Levites, with staves in their hands, he took 
his way towards the palace of the Roman gov- 
ernor. 

I looked my gratitude to JEmilius, for taking 
part with the Prophet. 

The multitude now began to retire, as the Ro- 
man horse slowly moved up the street, and Jesus 
being received into the house by Mary, who de- 
scended to open the door, quiet was soon in a 
measure restored; though at one time a large 


THE rillXCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 229 


concourse of persons, whose money-tables had 
been cast down, came to complain of their losses, 
and would have attacked the house but for Rabbi 
Amos, who went forth and civilly addressed them 
showing them that if they had sold and bought 
in the Temple, contrary to law, and that if Jesus 
had driven them forth alone, he must be a 
prophet, for only a prophet could make a thous- 
and men flee before him; “and if he be a phophet, 
my friends, he has acted by command of God; 
and take heed, lest in avenging yourselves 
against him, you be found fighting against God.’’ 

With such words he caused them to retire, 
though many sick, lame, halt, and blind, and in- 
firm, as well as a group of lepers, stood a long 
time, without calling upon the prophet to come 
forth, and touch them and heal them. 

In the meanwhile, Jesus was taken into the 
inner hall, and water being brought. Rabbi Amos 
himself removed his sandals, and washed his feet; 
while Mary, to do him all honor, dried them with 
a rich veil, which she had just worked in antici- 
pation of her coming bridal with her cousin 
John. It was at this moment I entered the hall. 
Desirous as I had been to behold and speak with 
the Prophet, now that I could behold him face to 
face, I shrunk with awe. He raised his eyes, and 
beholding me, said: 

“Daughter, come thou also, and bid me wel- 
come with these dear friends ; for I know thou be- 
lievest in me, and wouldst that thy father also 
should believe. Be patient, and hope; for thou 


230 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


shall yet behold him whom thou lovest, my disci- 
ple T 

As thus he spake, he extended to me his hand, 
upon which I let fall a rain of tears of joy. I 
knew that he knew my heart and thoughts, and 
that his words would prove true. Yes, dear 
father, you also will believe, as we all believe. 
You also are to acknowledge Him as the Christ. 

They were in the room, not only Amos, and 
John, and Mary, but the Priest Elias, cousin to 
Caiaphas, who, desirous of hearing from the lips 
of the Prophet his sublime teachings had come 
in with him. There were also present five men 
whom I never saw before; but who, as John said, 
were his disciples. One of them was a short, 
compactly-made man, with high, energetic fea- 
tures, a bold brow and an eagle eye, with an air 
of singular determination, like a soldier. His 
name was Simon Peter. Another was a tall, in- 
tellectual person, with a calm, thoughtful air, 
who seemed to hang on every word his master 
uttered, as if he were listening to the very oracles 
of God. His name was Andrew, and he is a 
brother to Simon. But I had no eye or ear for 
any one but Jesus. I saw that he seemed weary 
and pale, and for the first time I noticed a wound 
oozing blood upon his temple, from which he 
seemed to suffer, as from time to time he raised 
his hand to it. Desirous of serving so holy a 
person, I hastened to prepare liniment, with 
which, bringing it into the hall, I was about to 
bind up his wound, which John said had been 
caused by a stone thrown by some wicked hand. 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 231 


But the Priest Elias put me rudely back, and 
said, “Nay, maiden, let us witness a miracle!’" 
He then turned to the Prophet and said, “Mas- 
ter, we have heard much of thy power to do mir- 
acles, but have seen none done by thee! If thou 
wilt presently show me a miracle, I will believe, I 
and all my house! Thou hast a wound gaping 
in the temple; heal it with a touch, and I will ac- 
knowledge thee the Christ, the Son of the 
blessed!” 

Jesus turned his eyes upon him and said, 
“Elias, thou readest the Prophets, and should 
know whether he who speaketh unto thee be the 
Christ or no! Search the Scriptures, that thou 
mayest know the time of his visitation is come, 
and that I am He! One prophecy fulfilled is of 
more value than many miracles. But I do no 
miracles to relieve my own sufferings. I came 
into this world to suffer. Isaiah wrote of me as a 
man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief! 
Blessed are they who not seeing, shall believe. 
Ye believe that I am a prophet, and come out 
from God. It is well. Shall a prophet, then, de- 
ceive? If I am a prophet (and ye doubt it not), 
and I say that I am the Christ, why will ye not 
believe me? If I am a true prophet, come 
out from God, I cannot lie. Yet ye believe me 
when I say I am a prophet, and ye are displeased 
if I say I am the Christ. If ye believe me at all, 
then believe what I say unto you, that I am the 
Christ.” 

“But, master,” said the aged Levite, Asher, 
“we know whence thou art — even from Galilee. 


232 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

But when Christ cometh, no man knoweth 
whence he is!’’ 

*lt is true, O man of Israel, ye both know me 
and whence I am. Yet ye know not Him who 
sent me. Ye do not understand the Scriptures, 
or ye w^ould indeed know me, whence I am, and 
who hath sent me. But ye know neither me nor 
Him that sent me, for I am come out from God. 
If ye had known Him, ye would know me also. 
The time cometh when ye shall know whence I 
am and believe in me; but now your hearts are 
darkened through ignorance and unbelieving. 
I have told you plainly I am the Christ.” 

When he had thus spoken with great dignity 
and power, there were many present who were 
offended, and some voices murmured against 
him. Then Rabbi Amos led him forth to the 
apartment he had prepared for him; but the peo- 
ple remained warmly discussing the subject, and 
were greatly divided about him, some saying that 
he w^as Christ, and others denying it; while others 
cried aloud that he did his miracles by Beelze- 
bub, Prince of the devils. 

“And so,” said my cousin John, bitterly, “and 
so it is wherever my beloved master goes. 
Detraction and envy, malice and unbelief, fol- 
low his footsteps, and daily his life is menaced, 
and no place is a place of shelter for his aching 
head.” 

In going to his apartment, the Prophet had to 
cross the court, and as I was watching his retir- 
ing footsteps, I saw four men who had climbed 
to the house-top from the street, the doors being 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 233 


shut, let down a fifth in a blanket at the very feet 
of Jesus. It was a man afflicted with the palsy, 
and grievously tormented, and their own father. 
Jesus, seeing their filial love, stopped and said, 
kindly : 

“Young men, what would you have me to do?’’ 

“Heal our aged father, holy Rabbi.” 

“Believe ye that I can do this?” he asked, fix- 
ing his gaze earnestly on them. 

“Yes, Lord! we believe that thou art the 
Christ, the son of the living God! All things 
are possible unto thee!” 

Jesus looked benignantly upon them, and then 
taking the venerable man by the hand, he said 
to him in a loud voice, so that all who were 
looking on heard him : 

“Aged father, I say unto thee, arise and walk!” 

The palsied man instantly arose to his feet, 
whole and strong, and after casting a glance 
around upon himself, he threw himself at the 
Prophet’s feet, and bathed them in tears. The 
four sons did the same, while all the people who 
witnessed the miracle shouted, '‘glory to God, 
who hath given such power unto men!” 

Jesus then withdrew himself from the grateful 
group, who, embracing their father, wept upon 
his neck, and then the whole four escorted him, 
two on each side, with their arms about him, and 
about each other, into the street, where they 
were received by the multitude with loud cries of 
gratulation; for the old man had been well 
known in the city by all men, as palsied and un- 
able to walk for thirty years. 


234 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

Such, my dear father, are the increasing testi- 
monies Jesus bears, by miracles, as well as by 
words, to his being Messias. 

The God of our fathers keep you in health. 

Your loving daughter. 


ADINA. 


LETTER XIX* 


Dear Father: — The visit of the Prophet Jesus 
to the city has produced results of the most 
amazing character. His numerous miracles, 
performed in the open day by a word, or a look, 
or a touch, or a command, the power of his 
preaching, the excellency of his doctrines, which 
are evidently divine, his clear assertions that he 
is the very Christ, have all contributed to bring 
the first men of Israel, rulers as well as people, 
to believe in him! During the four days he re- 
mained at the house of my uncle Amos, the 
chief men of the city came to hear him, and, if 
possible, to see some miracle performed by him. 
The priesthood is divided. Caiaphas has pub- 
licly recognized him as a prophet, while Annas 
has publicly declared that he is an imposter ; and 
thus two parties are formed in the city, headed 
by the two priests, and all men have taken sides 
with one or the other. But the majority of the 
common people are in favor of Jesus, believing 


236 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

him to be the Christ. The Pharisees most oppose 
him, because he boldly reproves their sins and 
hypocrisies ; and though they fear him, they hate 
and would destroy him, for he preaches so plainly 
against their wickedness, that the people have 
ceased to respect them. Even Nicodemus, who 
at first was inclined to accept Jesus as a Prophet, 
finding the Pharisees against him, and being un- 
willing to lose his popularity with them, kept 
away from the house where Jesus was by day; 
but his curiosity to learn more of him, led him 
to visit the holy Prophet secretly by night. This 
he did twice, coming alone in the darkness, and 
being let in by his friend. Rabbi Amos. What 
the result of these interviews was, I can only tell 
you from Mary's account. She overheard their 
conversation, her window opening up on the cor- 
ridor, where Jesus had been seated after supper, 
alone in the moonlight for full an hour, gazing 
meditatively heavenward. His pale and chiseled 
features in the white moonlight seemed radiant 
as marble, and as cold, when Rabbi Amos came 
and announced the ruler Nicodemus, as desirous 
to speak with him. 

“Bid him come in and see me, if he has ought 
to say to me," answered the Prophet, turning 
towards him. 

“Nicodemus," added my cousin Mary, “then 
came to the corridor, carefully wrapped in his 
mantle; and looking about to see if he were un- 
observed, he dropped it from his face, and, bow- 
ing reverently, said to the Prophet: 

“Pardon me, O Rabbi, that I come to thee by 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 237 


night; but by day thy time is taken up with 
healing and with teaching. I am glad to find 
thee alone, great Prophet, for I would ask thee 
many things.’’ 

'‘Speak, Nicodemus, and I will listen to thy 
words,” answered the Prophet. 

"Rabbi,” said the ruler of the Pharisees, "I 
know' thou art a teacher, come from God; for 
no man can do these things that thou doest ex- 
cept God be with him. That thou art a mighty 
Prophet, I believe, as do all men: but art thou 
the Messias? Tell us plainly!” 

"If I tell thee, Nicodemus, thou wilt not be- 
lieve,” answ^ered Jesus, mildly. "I will ask you 
one question. Whence cometh Christ?” 

"He is the son of David, and cometh out of 
Bethlehem.” 

"Thou hast well answered. Rabbi Amos, here, 
will tell thee that he has examined the records. 
Ask him whose son he is who speaketh unto 
thee.” 

"The son of Joseph and Mary, of the lineage 
of David’s house,” answered Rabbi Amos. "The 
record of his birth I have seen, O Nicodemus, 
and also have Caiaphas and many others. Thou 
canst examine for thyself, if thou wilt come to 
the Temple with me to-morrow.” 

"Thy word suffices, O Rabbi Amos; for who 
ever knew thy lips to utter falsehood?” 

"The same record shows that the great 
Prophet, now here among us, w^as born in Beth- 
lehem, in the days of the taxation,” answered 
Rabbi Amos. 


238 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


'Thence whence is it, O Prophet, that thou 
cometh out of Nazareth of Galilee?’’ asked Nic- 
odemus, doubtingly. 

"I will tell thee, Nicodemus,” answered Jesus, 
parents dwelt in Nazareth, and as they so- 
journed at Bethlehem, to be registered in their 
own family town, David’s town, I was born! 
Thus am I of the line of David, of the town of 
Bethlehem, and also as it was prophesied of me,' 
a Nazarene. Dost thou ask more? Dost thou 
believe?” 

"Yea, Lord; but how read the Prophets that 
Messias is to be a king, and to rule the whole 
earth?” 

"My kingdom, O ruler of the Pharisees, is not 
of this world! I am indeed a king, but of a 
spiritual kingdom. My kingdom, unlike all 
earthly kingdoms, has no end; and those who 
become its subjects must be born again, or they 
cannot see it!” 

"Born again?” answered Nicodemus, with 
surprise, "How can a man be a second time born 
after he is grown to manhood? O Rabbi, thou 
speakest in parables.” 

"Art thou a wise man of the Pharisees, and a 
master in Israel, and knowest not what I say?” 
answered the Prophet. "Verily, verily I say 
unto thee, except a man be born of water and of 
the Spirit he cannot enter my kingdom. He 
who is born of Adam is of the flesh, and of 
Satan’s kingdom, of which Adam was; but he 
that is born again is born a spiritual man, and is 
of my kingdom; for I come to build up a king- 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 239 


(lorn on the ruins of Satan^s seat. Marvel not, 
then, that I say that the sons of Adam must be 
born again to the sons of God. If ye would 
enter into my kingdom and live forever, ye must 
be born again, even of water and of the Spirit/"" 

“How can these things be? Pray, master, 
explain, that I may know what this mystery 
meaneth. How can a man be born when he is 
old?’’ 

“What! dost thou stumble at the very thres- 
hold of the doctrine of my kingdom, O Pharisee? 
If ye cannot believe earthly things, how shall ye 
understand the heavenly things, which ye seek 
to know? He that would be my disciple must 
be born again! Your first birth is under Satan’s 
power, which rules the world as it now is in 
bondage; your second birth is into His kingdom, 
who has come to destroy Satan’s and build up 
His own. This birth is spiritual.” 

Upon this Nicodemus rose and said, with a 
shake of the head: 

“I will hear thee again, O Rabbi, of this 
matter touching the new birth, of which thou 
speakest.” 

When Nicodemus left him. Rabbi Amos said, 
“Is it indeed true, O master, that thou art to 
establish a kingdom?” 

“Yes, Rabbi Amos, a kingdom in which 
dwelleth righteousness,” answered the Prophet. 

“And shall all nations pay us tribute?” 

“Thou knowest not what thou sayest, O 
Rabbi. But the veil shall be removed from 
thine eyes when thou seest the Son of man lifted 


240 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

tip on his throne, as Moses lifted up the serpent 
in the wilderness.’’ 

'‘Where will be thy throne, O Messias? Wilt 
thou expel Romans from the city of David, and 
reign there?” 

“Thou shalt yet behold me on my throne, O 
Amos, r^lised above the earth, and drawing all 
men unto me.” 

“Wilt thou have thy throne in the clouds of 
Heaven, O Master, that thou shalt be raised 
above the earth upon it?” asked Rabbi Amos. 

“My throne shall be set on Mount Calvary, 
and the ends of the earth shall look unto me, 
and acknowledge my empire. But thou 
knowest not these things now; but hereafter 
thou shalt remember that I told thee of them.” 

Jesus then rose, and bi<^ding his host good 
night, retired to the apartment which was as- 
signed him, and Mary remained wondering at 
his sayings. 

Thus, dear father, it is made certain from his 
own words, that Jesus is the Christ; that he is 
to establish a kingdom; that he will stand on “a 
throne high and lifted up,” as saith the Prophet, 
and all the earth shall acknowledge him. But 
why his throne should be on Calvary instead of 
Mount Zion, Rabbi Amos wonders greatly, in 
conversing with us to-day ; for Calvary is a place 
of skulls, and of public executions, and is 
covered with Roman crosses, where every week 
some malefactor is crucified for his crimes! 
And yet it is more mysterious still, his saying 
that we must be born again. But John 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 241 


remarked that there are many things which he 
says to him and his disciples, which Jesus plainly 
tells them they cannot yet understand, but will 
by and by remember; and that he tells them now 
that then, when they see these things fulfilled, 
they may remember that he told them of them 
and believe in him; and have confidence that 
other sayings and prophecies of his, yet further 
in the future, will come to pass. 

Jesus, in all that he says, in all that he does, 
proves that he is omniscient and omnipotent! 
Whatever he wills to do, he doeth. Never man 
had power such as dwells in him. This morn- 
ing, as he was going forth from the house to 
depart into the country, a man lame from his 
youth, seated upon the threshold, caught him by 
his robe, saying, "‘Master, heal me 

""Son, thy sins be forgiven thee,’’ answered 
Jesus, and then passed on; but the Scribes and 
Pharisees who stood about, when they heard 
this, cried, ""This man, be he prophet or no, 
blasphemeth; for God alone can forgive sins!” 

Jesus stopped, and turning to them, said: 

""Which is easier, to say to this man, who has 
not walked for twelve years, and whose legs and 
arms are withered, as you see, "Thy sins be for- 
given thee,’ or to say, "Rise and walk?’ If I can 
bid him rise and walk as aforetime, and he does 
so before your eyes, is it not proof to you that I 
have power to forgive his sins also? For who 
could make him to rise and walk but the power 
of God alone, who also forgiveth men’s sins? 


242 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


But that ye may know that the Son of God hath 
power on earth to forgive sins, Behold!'' 

The Prophet then said in a loud voice to the 
lame man, '‘Arise, take up thy bed, and go to 
thine house!" 

Immediately the man rose to his feet, leaping 
and praising God, and taking up the mattress 
upon which they had brought him to the door, 
he ran swiftly away to show himself to his kins- 
folk, while all the people shouted and praised 
God! 

Thus did Jesus publicly show men that he 
could forgive sins, if he could heal, as the power 
to do both came equally from God. Does not 
this prove that he is the Son of God? 

You should have seen him, dear father, as he 
left our house, to go away into Galilee. Mary 
and I fell at his feet and bathed them with our 
tears, Rabbi Amos, and even Nicodemus, 
kneeled before him, with many others, asking his 
blessing; mothers came with their infants, that 
he might lay his hands on them ; and the sick and 
impotent were placed by their friends in his path, 
that his shadow in passing by might heal them. 
Hundreds brought handkerchiefs, amulets, and 
sprigs of cypress torn from the booths, in order 
that they might bring them in contact with his 
garments. The street was lined with all the 
afflicted of Jerusalem; and as he moved on 
between the rows of wretched sufferers, whose 
hollow eyes and shrivelled arms were turned 
imploringly towards him, he healed by words 
addressed to them, as he moved on, so that 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 243 


where, he found disease before him, stretched on 
beds, he left behind him health and empty 
couches. We all wept at his departure, and 
followed him to the Damascus gate. Here 
tliere were assembled a large company of Levites 
and priests, among whom were mingled some of 
the most desperate characters in Jerusalem. 
Knowedge of this fact reached Rabbi Amos, 
who at once sent a message to ^milius, our 
Roman friend, informing him that he appre- 
hended that there would be an attempt made to 
assassinate Jesus at the going out of the gate, 
and asking his aid. 

^milius placed himself at the head of fifty 
horse, and reaching the gate, pressed the crowd 
back and took possession of it. When Jesus 
passed through the armed guard beneath the 
arch the young Roman courteously offered him 
an escort to the next village. 

Jesus, graciously looking on him, said: 

“Young man, I need not thy help. My hour 
is not yet come. They cannot harm me till my 
hour arrives. I am not yet given by my father 
into their hands! Take my blessing, and one 
day thou shalt know to whom thou hast offered 
the aid of thy troop?’’ 

The Levites and their hired murderers now 
pressed forward, and broke through the cohort 
to reach Jesus, uttering wild and fearful cries; 
but ^milius charging them, routed them, and 
put several to the sword. He then rode to the 
side of the Prophet, offering him the best horse 
in his company. This accommodation Jesus 


244 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


refused, but walked by the Roman soldier, who 
insisted on escorting him, affably conversing 
with him, and teaching him wonderful things 
touching the kingdom of God. 

TEmilius, who informed me of these things, 
conducted him as far as Ephraim, and then was 
about to leave him to return to the city, when 
four lepers came from the cemetery of the tombs, 
near the village, and crying out afar off, said: 

'‘Thou blessed Christ, have mercy on us!’’ 

Jesus stopped, though his disciple Peter would 
have bidden the lepers to hold their peace, as it 
was late, and his Master was weary; but Jesus, 
who never wearies doing good, called the lepers 
to approach. As they did so, the whole com- 
pany of people, as well as the Roman soldiers, 
drew back to a distance, in horror at the sight of 
these dead-living men. They came timidly 
within twenty paces of Jesus, and stood still, 
tremblingly 1 

“Fear not,” said he, “I will make you whole!” 

He then advanced towards them, and laying 
his hand upon each of them, they all, at the 
touch, were instantly changed to well men, with 
the buoyant form, clear eye, and rich bloom of 
health ! 

When ^milius saw this miracle, he dis- 
mounted from his horse, and falling at Jesus’ 
feet, cried, worshiping him : 

“Thou art Mercury or Jupiter, O mighty God! 
Give me wisdom and power from the skies!” 

“Rise, young man,” answered Jesus, sadly 
looking upon him ; “thou shalt have wisdom and 


THE PllINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 245 


grace, but not from thy gods; there is but one 
God, even the Father; worship him, and he will 
reward thee!’' 

^milius said to me that his heart thrilled at 
these words, with others he had spoken in the 
way, and he promised me that he would hence- 
forth ''cast aside his gods and believe in the God 
of Israel, and in Jesus, his holy Prophet." 

Is not this blessed news? “Lo! he proclaims,’' 
as saith the prophet, "liberty to the Gentiles." 

Now, my dear father, I have thus far faithfully 
written all that I have heard and witnessed 
respecting Jesus, as you desired. You must see 
that he is more than a Prophet, and is the very 
Christ, the son of the Blessed. Withhold, oh, 
withhold not, your belief longer. Thousands 
believe in him, love and reverence him, as 
Messias. Daily his power over the hearts and 
minds of men is increasing. The common peo- 
ple worship the very dust of his sandals. The 
priests believe and tremble; but, like Herod, 
when he was an infant in Bethlehem, would 
destroy him, lest he should supplant them. 
They say the daily sacrifice will cease, the 
Temple fall to ruins, and the faith of Israel 
depart, if Jesus be suffered to live and preach, 
and do these mighty signs and wonders among 
the people. But all this establishes his claims! 
Did not David prophesy of Messias, that when 
he should come, "The kings of the earth would 
set themselves, and the rulers take council to- 
gether against the Lord and against his 
anointed? But he that sitteth in the heavens 


246 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in deri- 
sion. ’’ Thus, dear father, all things more and 
more go to prove Jesus of Nazareth to be the 
Christ of God. 

Your affectionate and loving daughter, 

ADINA. 


LETTER XX. 


My Dear Father: — It is many months since 
3^ou have received a letter from me, v^ritten with 
my own hand; and I rejoice that I am so far 
restored to health as to resume my correspond- 
ence with you. I cannot speak to you too 
warmly in praise of my uncle Amos and cousin 
Mary, during my illness. By their care and 
nursing, under the blessing of God, I am now 
nearly well. The pure air of the mountains of 
Galilee being recommended to me, they jour- 
neyed with me thither, and, at the foot of Mount 
Tabor, in the lovely village of Nain, I have 
passed many weeks, reviving each day. 

We are now at the humble abode of a widow, 
whose husband has been lost on the Great Sea, 
on which he was a seaman, in one of the mer- 
chant ships of Cesarea. The cottage of the 
wddow stands in a garden, from which is a sub- 
lime view of Tabor, in all the majesty of his 
mountain grandeur. One day, while I was in 


248 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


the garden walking, two men, dusty and travel- 
worn, stopped at the half-open gate, and, salut- 
ing us, said: 

''Peace be to this house, maiden, and all who 
dwell here.’' 

"Enter,” said the widow, overhearing them, 
"enter, and ye shall have water for your feet, and 
bread for your hunger.” 

The two men then entered and seated them- 
selves; and having been refreshed by the poor, 
but hospitable widow, one of them rose and said : 

"This day is salvation come to this house. 
We are ambassadors of Jesus of Nazareth, and 
go from city to city, proclaiming the day of the 
Lord at hand, for Messias is come!” 

At hearing these words, Mary and I both ex- 
claimed with joy that we had both seen and 
heard Jesus at Jerusalem, and believed on him. 
Upon this they looked greatly pleased; and 
answered our inquiries respecting the Prophet; 
that he was in Samaria, preaching and working 
miracles, and proclaiming his kingdom. When 
we heard this we rejoiced exceedingly, for we 
liad not heard of him for a long time. From 
them we learned that he had chosen twelve 
apostles, who always went with him, and were 
daily taught of him: and also, more recently, 
seventy others, wl^oni he sent, tv^c and two, into 
every city, to heiald his approach. 

"Will he, then, come to Nain?” said the 
widow, with emotion. "I should be willing to 
die, so that I could lay my eyes once upon so 
great and holy a man!” 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 249 


'"Yes, he will come hither/' answered the men; 
'‘and when we shall report to him your hospi- 
tality to us, he will visit your house; for he never 
forgets a cup of water given to one of his 
disciples." 

The men rhen departed, calling the peace of 
God upon our abode. They had not been gone 
many minutes, before we heard a great commo- 
tion in the market-place, near by. Upon going 
to the house-top, we beheld these two men 
standing upon an elevation, and preaching the 
kingdom of Christ at hand, and calling upon all 
who heard them to repent of their evil deeds, and 
lead a godly life; for Jesus would one day judge 
them according to the deeds done in the body. 
Upon this, some cried out against Jesus, and 
others threw stones at the two men; and when 
we reached the house-top, we saw one of them 
remove his sandals and shake the dust from 
them, saying, in a loud voice: 

“As ye reject the words of life, your sins re- 
main upon you, as I return to you again the dust 
of your city." 

They then departed, followed by Levites, and 
men of the baser sort, who fairly drove them 
from the town. This hostility, we found, was 
caused by an order from the Great Sanhedrim, to 
all the synagogues and priests in the land, that 
they should denounce all who preach Jesus of 
Nazareth as the Christ. 

While we were grieving at his enmity against 
a Prophet sent from God, whose life was a series 
of good deeds, there entered hastily a fair young 


250 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


maid, whose name was Ruth. She held an open 
letter in her hand, and her beautiful face glowed 
rosily with some secret joy, which contrasted 
strangely with the present sadness of our own. 
We knew Ruth well, and loved her as if she had 
been a sister. She was an orphan, and dwelt 
with her uncle, Elihaz, the Levite, a man of influ- 
ence in the town. She was artless, unsuspecting, 
and very interesting in all her ways. 

“What good news, dear Ruth?’' asked Mary, 
smiling at her bright smiles. “A letter from 
whom ?” 

“For Sarah,” answered the pretty maid, blush- 
ing so timidly and consciously, that we half sus- 
pected the truth. 

“But, that is not telling us from whom,” per- 
severed Mary, with a little playfulness. 

“You can guess,” she answered, glancing over 
her white shoulder, as she bounded away from us 
into the house. 

We were soon after her, and heard her as she 
cried, putting the letter into the dear widow’s 
hand: 

“From Samuel!” 

“God be blessed,” cried the widow, “my son 
liveth, and is well.” 

“Read, dear Sarah,” cried the maiden. “He 
was at Alexandria when he wrote this, and will 
soon be at home. Oh, happy, happy day!” 
added the over-joyed girl, quite forgetful of our 
presence. But we had long known the story of 
her pure love for the widow’s son, and she had 
made us confidants of all her hopes and fears. 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 251 


and read to us all the letters that came from him 
on the seas, for he went down to trade in the sea 
in ships, like his father before him. We knew, 
too, that the youthful wanderer loved her with as 
much devotion, as she loved him, and our hearts 
sympathized with her in her true affection. 

‘'Nay,'’ said the widow, "my eyes are filled 
with tears of gladness ; I cannot see to read. Do 
thou read it aloud. Let Adina and Mary also 
know what he writeth. Is the letter to me, or 
thee, child?" 

"To — to me, dear Sarah," answered the 
maiden, with a momentary embarrassment. 

"Likely — likely; it is most natural that thou 
shouldst get the best part of the epistles. But 
so I hear and know he is well, it is the same, 
writeth he to me or thee!" 

Ruth then cast a bright look upon us, and 
thus read aloud from the letter from over the 
sea: 

"Dearest Ruth: — I fear you have been impa- 
tient at my long silence; but I love you not less, 
though you do not often hear from me. Now 
that I am safe, I will write to you, which I would 
not do in a state of uncertainty. Know, that 
after our ship left Cesarea for Crete, we were 
caught by a north wind, and, in striving to make 
the east end of the island, we lost way, and were 
driven upon Africa, where we were wrecked, los- 
ing all our cargo, and the lives of many who 
sailed with us. With others, I was taken by the 
barbarians, and carried inland to a country of 
rocky mountains, and there became a bondman 


252 THE PKINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


to one of the chief men of the nation wherein T 
was captivated. At length, inspired by a con- 
sciousness of the anguish you and my beloved 
mother must suffer, should you never more hear 
tidings from me, I resolved to effect my escape. 
After great perils, I reached the seaside, and, at 
the expiration of many days, by following the 
coast, I was taken on board by a small ship of 
Cyprus, and conveyed to Alexandria. The 
vessel was owned by a rich merchant of my own 
people, Manassah Benjamin Ben Israel, who, 
finding me sick and destitute of all things, just 
as I escaped, took me home to his hospitable 
house, and treated me as a son, till I recovered 
my health and strength; saying that he had a 
daughter far away in Judea, and he hoped that if 
she ever needed the aid of strangers, God would 
repay him by making them kind to her."*’ 

Here Mary and I looked at each other with 
agitation and pleased surprise. 

^Tt was my father,’^ I exclaimed, with emo- 
tion; ‘T rejoice that his house became thy son’s 
home, O lady. Blessed be my father!” 

When Sarah heard that it was at your house, 
dear father, her son had been so hospitably enter- 
tained, she embraced me again and again, and > 
entreated me to convey to you her heartfelt grat- 
itude; which I do herewith. And it is, dearest 
father, because you know and love this young 
man, so providentially thrown upon your care, 
that I shall be so* particular in recounting what I 
am about to do concerning him. 

Ruth ended the reading of the letter, which 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 253 


told that he should return in the first ship bound 
to Sidon, or Cesarea, when he hoped to behold 
her and his mother face to face, and to receive 
as his bride, the maiden he had so long loved 
ai d cherished in his heart. 

Sarah seemed now to be drawn closer to me 
in affection, and also so did Ruth, since they 
have learned that I am the daughter of the noble 
Jew who did so much for Samuel in a strange 
land. At length, as the day drew near for me to 
leave, to return to Jerusalem, my health being 
quite invigorated, we w^ere all taken with de- 
lighted surprise at the appearance of the long 
absent son and lover in the midst of our happy 
circle. 

Mary and I had once seen him, and we were 
now impressed wdth his manly and sun-browned 
beauty, his bold air, and frank, ingenuous man- 
ner. We could not but agree that the pretty 
Ruth had showui fine taste. He gave to me the 
package which you desired him to forward to 
Jerusalem, and thus, we all round had reason to 
rejoice at his coming. But alas! my dear father, 
our joy was short-lived! Little did we anticipate 
how speedily our rejoicings were to end in 
mourning! The very night of his return, he was 
seized with a malignant fever, which he had 
brought from Africa wdth him; and we were all 
overwhelmed with grief. 

It would be impossible to paint to you the 
anguish of the m.other; the heart-rending distress 
of his betrothed, as they bent over his couch, and 


254 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


saw the fierce plague burning him, as if he were 
in a furnace. 

Unconscious of their presence, he raved 
wildly; and sometimes fancied himself suffering 
thirst on the burning sands of Africa; and now, 
battling with the barbarians for his life. All that 
physicians could do, and his friends could do — 
for he was greatly beloved as well for his own 
sake as for his mother’s and Ruth’s — all was of 
no avail. This morning, the third day after his 
return, he expired, amid the most distressing 
agonies. Poor Ruth! She cast herself, in per- 
fect abandonment of grief, upon his lifeless and 
disfigured corpse; and, now that they have re- 
moved her from the chamber of death, her 
shrieks fill the house. His mother sits by him, 
the image of despair, holding his cold hand in 
hers, and uttering wails of woe sad enough to 
rend a Roman’s heart : 

‘^My son! my son! lost and found, to be torn 
from me foreyer! Oh, that I had died for thee! 
Thou and Ruth would then be happy. Would 
to God I had died for thee, oh, my son, Samuel, 
my son!” It is like David bewailing Absoloni. 

I write this sad news to you, dear father, 
knowing how deeply you will mourn his death; 
for your letters show me that you have formed 
for him almost a paternal attachment, carried so 
far as a promise to provide him with a ship to 
trade in Egypt, after his marriage with Ruth 
shall have taken place. Alas! instead of a bridal, 
behold a funeral. Already the bearers are at the 
door, and in a few minutes he will be borne forth 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 255 


upon the dead-bier to the burial place without 
the city. 

‘'Oh/’ sighs Mary near me, as I write, "oh, 
that Jesus, the mighty Prophet, had been here; 
he could have healed him!” John had sent to 
her a message, saying that he is travelling this 
way, on his message of healing and teaching, and 
may be here this evening. But what will it 
av^ail, dear father? Even Jesus cannot return 
the dead to life! It was never known that the 
dead rose again. Oh, if he could have been here 
yesterday, his power over diseases would have 
enabled him to save his precious life! But 
regrets are useless. The noble young man is 
dead, and will live again only in the resurrection 
of the just. 

I hear the heavy tread of the dead-bearers in 
the court below. The shrieks and wails of the 
mourning women thrill my soul with awe. But 
above all, pierces the wild cry of anguish of the 
bereaved mother! Ruth’s voice is hushed. She 
has been, for the last hour, inanimate as marble, 
sitting, with a glazed eye and rigid features, gaz- 
ing 011 vacancy. Only by her pulse can it be 
said she lives! Poor maiden! The blow is too 
terrible for her to bear. 

My cousin Mary has, this moment, received a 
small roll of parchment, which, from the flush in 
her cheek, I know to be from her betrothed. 
She smiles sadly, and with tears in her eyes, 
hands it to me. 

I have read it, dear father. It reads as fol- 


256 THE PKINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


lows, if I have time to transcribe it before the 
call to follow the dead forth to burial is given: — 
Gadara^ beyond Judea, 
''The bearer, beloved, is one of the disciples 
of Jesus. His name is Bartimeus. He was 
blind and poor, and subsisted by begging; and, 
as you see, his sight is restored, and he insists 
now on going from town to town, where he has 
been known as a blind man, to proclaim what 
Jesus has done for him. He takes this to you. 
I write to say that I wish thou mayest prosper in 
all things, and find the health for which thou 
and thy cousin sought the air of Mount Tabor. 
I have no greater joy than to hear of your wel- 
fare. This letter cometh, beseeching thee, lady, 
that as we love one another unfeignedly, so may 
we soon be united in that holy union which God 
hath blessed and commanded. I would have 
thee bear in remembrance that thou gavest thy 
promise hereto when last we met at Nazareth. 
But, having much to say, hereupon, I will not 
commit it to paper and ink; but, by to-morrow, 
or the. day after, I trust, to come to you, and 
speak with you, dearly beloved, face to face, 
those things which now come to my lips. Fare- 
well, lady, and peace be with you, and all in your 
house. Greet th}-^ friends in my name, letting 
them know that we shall shortly be wdth you, 
with Amos, your father, now our dear brother in 
the Lord. There are many things wdiich I have 
seen and heard, touching my holy Master, Jesus, 
and his holy mission to the world, which I will 
declare unto you when we meet, that you also 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 25T 


may have fellowship with us in those things 
which we know and believe concerning him. 
My Master saluteth thee, and all in your house;; 
Amos, also, greeteth thee with a kiss. This is 
the second epistle I have written unto you from 
this place.’’ 

^^Oh, that the mighty Prophet had come one 
day sooner!” cried Mary. “What woe and 
anguish would have been spared poor Ruth and 
his mother! But the will of Jehovah be done.” 

We hear now, dear father, the voice of the 
governor of the funeral, bidding us come down 
to bury the dead. 

Farewell, dearest father. I know you will 
shed a tear to the memory of the noble youth, 
whose death has this day filled all Nain with 
mourning. As I look from the lattice, I see the 
concourse of people to be immense, filling all 
the street. Now, may the God of our father 
Abraham preserve and keep you, and suffer us 
once more to meet face to face in joy and peace. 

Your dutiful and sorrowful daughter, 

ADINA. 


LETTER XXL 


My Dearest Father: — I seize my pen, which I 
laid down an hour ago, in order to follow to his 
burial, the son of our hostess, to recount to you 
one of the most extraordinary things which ever 
happened, and which fills us all with such joy 
and wonder, that I fear my trembling fingers will 
scarcely express legibly what I have to tell you. 

As I told you in my letter just finished, I was 
called away to accompany the weeping mother 
to the burial place outside of the gates. But 
Avhen I reached the courtyard, where the body of 
her son lay upon a bier, which the bearers had 
already raised upon their shoulders, the deep 
grief of poor Ruth overcame her wholly, and I 
led her to her room, where she sank insensible 
upon her couch. I could not leave her in her 
situation, and the procession went forth from the 
house without me; Mary, as she walked, sup- 
porting upon her arm the bereaved mother, clad 
in her mourning weeds. 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 259 


As the funeral train passed the lattice, it 
seemed endless, so vast a number of people ac- 
companied the body, to do honor to a widow in 
Israel. At length it passed by, and I was left 
alone with the motionless Ruth. She seemed to 
sleep, though every few moments she would 
murmur the name of the dead. I sat by her, 
reflecting upon the mysterious ways of God in 
bringing this widow’s son sa'fely home from the 
thousand dangers to which he had been exposed, 
from shipwreck and bondage, to gladden her 
soul with his presence for a few hours, and then 
to die in her arms! As I gazed on the marble 
countenance of the bereaved maiden, I could not 
but pray that she might not recover from her 
swoon, to revive to the bitter realization of her 
loss, and to the renewal of her grief. 

Suddenly, I heard a very great shout. I 
started, and hastened to the lattice. It was re- 
peated louder, and with a glad tone, that showed 
me it was a shout of joy. It seemed to come 
from beyond the city walls, and from a hundred 
voices raised in unison. I knew that the house- 
top overlooked the walls, and seeing that Ruth 
moved not, I ascended rapidly to the parapet, the 
shouts and glad cries still increasing as I went 
up, and exciting my wonder and curiosity. 
Upon reaching the flat roof, and stepping upon 
the parapet, I saw coming along the street, 
towards the house, with the speed of the ante- 
lope, Elec, our Gibeonite slave. He was waving 
his hands wildly, and crying out something 
whidi I could not distinctly hear. Behind him I 


260 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

saw two youths running also, appearing to be the 
bearers of some great tidings. 

1 knew something wonderful must have oc- 
curred, but could not divine what it could be. 
On looking towards the gate, from which direc- 
tion the shouts, at intervals, continued to 
approach, I discovered, on the hill-side of the 
cemetery, many people crowded together, and 
evidently surrounding some person in their 
midst; for the whole order of the procession was 
broken up. The bier, I could not discern, nor 
could I comprehend how the solemnity of the 
march of the funeral train was so suddenly 
changed to a confused multitude, rending the 
sky with loud acclamations. The whole body of 
l^eople was pressing back towards the city. 

The persons whom I had first seen running 
along the street, now made themselves audible 
as they drew nigher. 

“He IS alive! he is alive!” shouted Elec. 

‘ He has been raised from the dead!” cried the 
young man next behind him. 

“He lives, and is walking back to the city!” 
called the third, to those who, like me, had ran 
to their house-tops to know the meaning of the 
uproar we heard. 

“Who — who is alive?” I eagerly demanded of 
Elec, as he passed beneath the parapet. “What 
is this shouting, O Elec?” 

He looked up to me with a face expressive of 
the keenest delight, mixed with awe, and said: 

‘‘Young Rabbi Samuel is come to life! He is 
no longer dead. You will soon see him, for they 


THE PEINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 261 


are escorting him back to the city; and every- 
body is mad with joy. Where is Ruth, the 
maiden? I am come to tell her the glorious 
news.” 

With emotion that I cannot describe, hardly 
believing what I heard, I hastened to Ruth, in 
order to prevent the effects of too sudden joy. 
Upon reaching the apartment, I found that the 
voice of Elec, who had shouted the news, of 
which he was the bearer, in her ears, had roused 
her from her stupor of grief. She was looking 
at him wildly and incomprehensibly. I ran to 
her, and folding her in my arms, said: 

‘‘Dear Ruth, there is news — good news! It 
must be true. Hear the shouts of gladness in all 
the town!” 

‘"Lives!” she repeated, shaking her head; “no,, 
no, no! Yes, there!” she said, raising her 
beautiful, glittering eyes to heaven, and pointing 
upward. 

“But on earth also,” cried Elec, with positive- 
ness. “I saw him sit up, and heard him speak,, 
as well as ever he was!” 

“How was it? Let me know,” I cried. 

“How? Who could have done such a miracle 
but the mighty Prophet we saw at Jerusalem?” 
he answered. 

“Jesus?” I exclaimed with joy. 

“Who else could it be? Yes; he met the bier 
just outside — But here they come!” 

Elec was interrupted in his narrative by the in- 
creased noise of voices in the streets, and the 
tramp of hundreds of feet. The next moment 


262 THE PKINCE -OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

the room was filled with a crowd of the most 
excited persons, some weeping, some laughing, 
as if beside themselves. In their midst I beheld 
Samuel walking, alive and well, his mother cling- 
ing to him, like a vine about an oak. 

''Where is Ruth?'’ he cried. "Oh! where is 
she? Let me make her happy with my 
presence.” 

"I gazed upon him with awe, as if I had seen a 
spirit. 

Ruth no sooner heard his voice than she 
uttered a shriek of joy. "He lives — ^he indeed 
lives!” and springing forward, she was saved 
from falling to the ground by being clasped to 
his manly breast. 

"Let us kneel and thank God!” he said. 

For a few moments the scene was solemn and 
touching, beyond any spectacle ever exhibited on 
earth. The newly-risen from the dead knelt in 
the midst of the floor, with his mother on his 
right, leaning her head upon his shoulder, and 
Ruth clasped in his left arm, and fast embracing 
him as if he were an angel, who would else 
spread his wings and ascend, leaving her behind. 
Mary and I knelt by her side, while all the people 
bowed their heads in worship, as he lifted up his 
voice in grateful acknowledgments to the Giver 
of life and health, for restoring both to him. 
"When he had performed this first sacred duty, he 
rose to his feet, and received all our embraces. 
Hundreds came in to see his face, and every 
tongue was eloquent in praise of the power of 
Jesus. 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 263 


^‘And where is this holy Prophet?’' I asked of 
Mary. ‘‘Shall he be forgotten amid all our joy?” 

“We thanked him there with all our hearts, 
and bathed his hands with tears of gratitude,” 
she answered; “but when they would have 
brought him into the city in triumph, he con- 
veyed himself away in the confusion, and no one 
could see aught of him. But John, who was 
with him, told me he would come into the city 
after quiet was restored, by and by, and he would 
bring him to our abode.” 

“Oh! I shall then behold him, and thank him 
also,” I cried. “Make known to me, Mary, the 
particulars of this wonderful miracle,” I asked of 
her; for though I saw Samuel now seated, and 
eating in the room, served by his glad mother 
and the happy Ruth, while all looked on, to see 
if he really ate, and though I believed in the 
power of Jesus to do all things, yet I could 
hardly realize that he whom I had seen carried 
out a dead man on his bier, I beheld now seated 
at table, partaking of food, alive and well. 

“I will tell thee all,” answered Mary, whose 
face shone with a holy light, radiating from her 
intense happiness; and, leading me apart, she 
said: 

“As we went weeping forth, slowly following 
the bier, and had passed the gate, we saw, com- 
ing along the path through the valley leading to 
Tabor, a party of twelve or thirteen men on foot. 
They were followed by a crowd of men, women 
and children from the country, and were so mov- 
ing that they would meet us at the crossing of 


264 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


the stone bridge. Hearing some one say, 'It is 
the Prophet of Nazareth, with his disciples,’ I 
looked earnestly forward, and joyfully recog- 
nized Jesus at their head, with John walking by 
his side. 

" 'Oh, that Jesus had been in Nain, when thy 
son was sick!’ I said to the widow, pointing him 
out to her, as the Prophet and his company 
stopped at the entrance to the bridge, and drew 
to one side, for the way was too narrow for both 
parties to cross at the same time. Upon looking 
up and seeing him, and marking his benign 
countenance, and how sorrowfully he gazed 
upon her, and recollecting how he might have 
prevented her son’s dying, had he been in Nain, 
the poor lady could no longer command her 
grief, which broke forth afresh ; and covering her 
face with her veil, she wept so violently that all 
eyes were piteously fastened upon her. I ob- 
served that the holy Prophet’s rested upon her 
Avith compassion; and, as the widow came oppo- 
site where he stood, he advanced a step towards 
us, and said in a voice of thrilling sympathy: 

"Weep not, mother. Thy son shall live 
again 1” 

" ' I know it, O Rabboni, at the last day,’ she 
answered. 'He was so noble — so young — he 
was all to me, and had been so long absent in far 
lands, only to come home to die. I know that 
thou art a Prophet come from God, and that all 
good works follow thee. Oh, if thou hadst been 
here, my son need not have died. Thy word 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


265 


would have healed him. But nov/ he is dead! 
dead! dead!’ 

The bereaved mother then poured forth her 
tears afresh. 

'' ^Daughter, weep not. I will restore thy son!’ 

'What saith he?’ cried some Pharisees who 
were in the funeral; 'that he will raise a dead 
man? This is going too far.’ And they smiled 
and scored. 

"But Jesus laid his hand upon the pall over the 
body, and said to those who bare the bier: 

" 'Rest the bier upon the ground.’ 

"They instantly stood still and obeyed him. 
He then advanced amid a hushed silence, and, 
uncovering the marble visage, touched the hand 
of the dead man, and said, in a loud and com- 
manding voice: 

" 'Young man, I say unto thee. Arise!’ 

"There was a moment’s painful stillness 
through the vast multitude. Every eye was 
fixed upon the bier. His voice was heard by the 
spirit of the dead, and it came back to his body. 
There was visible a living, trembling emotion of 
the hitherto motionless corpse! color flushed the 
livid cheek; the eyelids opened, and he fixed his 
eyes on Jesus; he raised his hand, his lips moved; 
he sat up on the bier, and then spake aloud in his 
natural voice, saying: 

" 'Lo! here I am.’ 

"Jesus then took him by the hand, and, assist- 
ing him to alight upon his feet, he led him to his 
mother, and delivered him to her, saying: 
'Woman, behold thy son!’ 


266 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

''Upon seeing this miracle, the people shouted 
with joy and wonder, and there came a great fear 
on us all; and, lifting up their voices, they who 
so lately mourned and bewailed the dead, glori- 
fied God, saying, 'God has indeed visited his 
people Israel. A great Prophet is risen up 
among us. The Messias is come, and Jesus is 
very Christ, with the keys of death and hell.’ 

"With such words and exclamations, and 
great shouts of rejoicing, the multitude sur- 
rounded the restored young man, and proceeded 
to escort him back to the city; the great mass of 
the people being attracted more by the raised to 
life than by the august person by whose act it 
had been done. I sought out Jesus, to cast my- 
self at his feet, but he shrunk from the homage 
and gratitude which his mercy to us had awak- 
ened. Thus, humility is an element of all 
power.” 

Such, my dear father, is the narrative of the 
restoration to life again of Samuel, the son of 
Sarah, of Nain. I give it to you in its simple 
outlines. It will not fail to command your be- 
lief. The miracle was performed in open day, in 
the presence of thousands. The opposers of 
Jesus, the hostile Scribes and Pharisees, do not 
deny the miracle, for they were convinced of the 
reality of the death of the young man; for he 
died, as I have before said, of the plague, and his 
corpse was a loathsome sight to those who beheld 
it; yet, w^onderful to relate, when he was restored 
to life by the power of Jesus, he sat up, free from 
all external signs of the putrid disease, his skin 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


267 


fair and smooth, and his whole aspect that of 
ruddy health and manly beauty. No man could 
doubt, therefore, that a miracle had been per- 
formed, and of the most extraordinary kind; for 
never was it heard before that the dead were re- 
stored to life. This miracle of restoration from 
the dead, of Samuel, the widow’s son, has caused 
hundreds this day to confess his name, and to 
believe in him as the anointed Shiloh of Israel. 

Since writing the above, I have conversed with 
Samuel upon the consciousness which he had of 
being dead. He replies, that it seemed to him 
that he had been in a dream, the chain of which 
was now broken, and could not be recollected 
again. ^'Fragments,” said he, ^‘of a delightful 
condition of splendor; of glory and bliss; of 
music ineffable, and scenes indescribable, passed 
before my miind for a few moments after standing 
upon my feet; but they presently melted away; 
and I can now only recollect that there were 
such! When I found myself upon the bier, I 
felt no surprise; for, the fact that I was being 
taken to my burial seemed instinctively to pre- 
sent itself to my reanimated consciousness.” 
Many of the doctors have been to see him 
through the day, and have put profound ques- 
tions to him, touching the state of the soul out 
of the body; but he could give them no satisfac- 
•tion, all appearing to him like shining fragments 
of a gorgeous vision. 

Jesus came into the town during the evening, 
and abode with us. You should have witnessed 
how the gratitude of the happy mother, and of 


2G8 THE PKINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


the no less happy Ruth, exhibited itself. They 
anticipated his every wish, and seemed to desire 
that he had a thousand wants, that they might 
administer to them. But his life is simple — his 
wants few. He thinks little of comforts; and so 
that he can speak of the kingdom of God to those 
about him he forgets to partake of the food be- 
fore him. We also forget all things else when he 
speaks, and stand or sit around him, drinking in 
the rich eloquence of his wise lips. The more I 
see of him, dear father, the more I stand in awe 
of him, and love him. 

Mary is to-morrow to become the bride of 
John, and Jesus will be present at the wedding, 
for, while he severely rebukes sin and folly, he 
sanctifies, by his presence, the holy rites of mar- 
riage, which God ordained. Next month, the 
seventh day of the month, the happy Ruth con- 
sents to give her hand to the noble youth whom 
she has so wonderingly received alive from the 
dead. 

On the eve of the seventh day I shall depart 
hence, with John and Mary, for Jerusalem, 
whence I will write you again. 

Your loving daughter, 

ADINA. 


LETTER XXII. 


Once more, my dear father, I address a letter 
to you from this holy city. This morning, when I 
awoke at the sound of the silver trumpets of the 
priests, ringing melodiously from the top of 
Mount Moriah, I experienced anew that pro- 
found devotion which the children of Abraham 
must always feel in the city of God, and in the 
presence of His very Temple. As I ascended 
the roof of the house to prayer, the gorgeous pile 
of the Temple towered heavenward from the 
summit of Moriah, in all the magnificence of its 
celestial beauty. The azure wreaths of incense 
were already curling upward into the still skies, 
while the murky cloud sent up by the burnt sac- 
rifice rolled darldy above the pinnacle, casting an 
awful shade over all the Temple. As it sailed 
slowly onward, and hung above the valley of 
Kedron, the sun rose and gilded its massive 
edges as if they had been turned out with gold. 
Louder and clearer rang the trumpets, and every 


270 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

house-top soon had its group of worshipers, 
while along the streets rolled the tide of people, 
some leading lambs, others driving goats before 
them, others carrying doves in their bosoms, to 
be offered to the Lord by the priest. It was a 
joyous morning to me, dear father, for ^milius, 
the noble Roman Prefect, was this day, volun- 
tarily to present himself at the Temple, to be 
made a proselyte to the holy faith of Israel. I 
will not now detain you by recording the argu- 
ments by which he was led to renounce idolatry 
and become a Jew! Pilate, the Procurator, fav- 
ored, instead of opposing it, believing that it 
would conciliate the Jews in favor of the Ro- 
mans; he resolved, therefore, to grace the right 
with his presence. I could see him proudly roll- 
ing onward towards the Temple in his gilded 
chariot, escorted by a score of guards, blazing in 
their Grecian cuirasses. I sought in vain the 
form of yRmilius; but he reached the Temple by 
another street. The morning was, therefore, ad- 
ditionally lovely to me. I thought I had never 
seen the olive groves, on the hill-side, beyond the 
king's gardens, so green, nor the harvest so yel- 
low, as they undulated in the soft breeze of the 
opening morn. The lofty palms everywhere ap-: 
peared to bend and wave their verdant fans with 
joyous motion. The birds in the palace gardens 
sang sweeter and louder; and Jerusalem itself 
seemed more beautiful than ever. While I was 
gazing upon the scene, and adoring God, and 
thanking him for the conversion of ^milius. 
Rabbi Amos came, and said that he would take 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 271 


US to the Temple, for he was at leisure on that 
morning. We were soon on our way, climbing 
the paved pathway to Aloriah. Oh, how sub- 
limely towered the divine Temple above our 
heads, seemingly lost in the blue of the far 
heaven! The great gates opening North and 
South, to the East and West, were thronged with 
the multitude pressing through; while, from the 
galleries above each gate pealed forth the clear- 
voiced trumpets of God in ceaseless reverbera- 
tion. My uncle pointed out to me the massive 
doors, all overlaid with sheets of beaten gold, and 
the floor of green marble, on which we trode. 
He bade me notice the costly entablature of col- 
ored stones, exquisitely worked with the Gre- 
cian’s chisel ; and especially the roof of fretted 
silver, set with precious stones, the onyx, beryls 
sapphire, carbuncle, and jasper. I was dazzled 
by the magnificence, and awed by the vast extent 
of the space of splendor surrounding me; while 
ten thousands of people were to be seen moving 
towards the altar of sacrifice. From that superb 
court, I was led into a hall nearly a hundred 
cubits in length, its ceiling of pure gold, sus- 
tained by a thousand and one columns of 
porphyry and white marble, ranged alternately. 
Such richness I had never conceived of, or 
thought possible on earth. But when Rabbi 
Amos explained that they all were made after 
patterns of heavenly things, I ceased to marvel, 
and only wished I might one day dwell in those 
celestial abodes, where, the holy Jesus teaches, 
us, are mansions not made with hands, of endless 


272 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


duration, reserved for all the good and virtuous. 

I was not permitted to approach the sacred 
chamber, where stood the four thousand vessels 
of gold of Ophir, used in the sacrifices on great 
days; and this being a high day, I saw no less 
than six hundred priests standing about the 
altar, each with a golden censer in his hand. 
Beyond was the holy ark of the covenant, over 
which the cherubim hovered, their wings meet- 
ing, and between them is the mercy-seat! As 
this was the Holy of Holies, I was not permitted 
to see it; but its position was pointed out to me 
within the veil, which conceals from all eyes but 
that of the High Priest once a year, the seat of 
God’s throne on earth, alas, now left vacant since 
the glory of the Shechinah departed from the 
Holy of Holies! 

The air of the vast Temple was delicious with 
the fragrance of burning frankincense. As the 
victims bled, and the smoke ascended, the people 
ie\l on their faces and worshiped God. It was 
an impressive scene, and made my heart stand 
still. I seemed to expect to hear the voice of 
Jehovah breaking the stillness that followed. 
But, after a few moments’ silence, a sudden 
trumpet note thrilled every soul in the countless 
multitude. It was followed by a peal of music 
that shook the air, from a choir of two thousand 
singers, male and female, of the sons and daugh- 
ters of Levi, who served in the Temple. Enter- 
ing from the southern court, they advanced in 
long procession, singing sacred chants, and play- 
ing on sacbut and harp, psalter and nebble, 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


273 


chinna and tympana. As they ascended to the 
choir, their voices, mingling with the instru- 
ments, filled all the Temple. I never heard be- 
fore such sublime harmony; especially when, on 
reaching the elevated choir, a thousand Levites, 
with manly voices, joined them, and the whole 
company chanted one of the sublimest of the 
Psalms of David. I was overcome — my senses 
dissolved in a sea of seraphic sounds; my heart 
swelled as if it would break, and I found relief 
only in a flood of tears. 

When the chant was concluded, the whole 
multitude responded, ‘^Amen, and Amen,’’ like 
the deep voice of an earthquake suddenly shak- 
ing the foundations of the Temple. 

At length I beheld a train of priests following 
the High Priest as he marched thrice around the 
altar. In the procession I discovered a company 
of proselytes, escorted by twelve aged priests, 
with long snowy beards, and in vestments of the 
purest white. Among the proselytes, which 
numbered full a score of men, from almost every 
nation, I detected the tall and noble figure of the 
Roman iEmilius. He was robed in a black gar- 
ment from head to foot. But upon approaching 
the baptismal basin, two young priests removed 
this sable dress, and robed him in white. I then 
saw him baptized into the family of Abraham, 
and a new name given him, that of Eleazer. I 
I heard the silver trumpets proclaim the conver- 
sion, and the multitudes shouting their joy! 

Of the rest of the ceremony I have no recollec- 
'] tion, as, after the baptism of ^milius, I was too 


274 THE PKINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

happ}^ to see or think of any one else. There 
stands now, dear father, no further bar to our 
union, ^milius is become a Jew, and hence- 
forth will worship the God of our fathers! 1 
know you said in your last letter to me that you 
feared the noble young Roman was led by his at- 
tachment to me to renounce his religion, and not 
from honest conviction of its truth and of its 
falsehood. But I am assured, dear father, that 
he acts from conviction. The conversations he 
has had with me, and with Rabbi Amos, and 
other of the learned doctors of our nation, whom 
he has met at our house, with the careful reading 
of the Scriptures of the Prophets, have not only 
convinced him that the Lord God of Israel is the 
only God of the whole earth, but that the wor- 
shipers of idols are the worshipers of Satan, who 
hath set up that religion in opposition to that of 
the true God. 

While I was lifting up my heart in gratitude 
for the happy conversion of ^milius, and while 
the Jews were crowding about him to extend to 
him the hand of fellowship, rejoicing that so 
noted a person should embrace our faith. Uncle 
Amos drew my attention by exclaiming with 
gladness: 

''Behold! there is Jesus!’’ 

"Where?” I cried, trying to discover the divine 
Prophet among the multitude. 

"Standing by yonder pillar of porphyry. John 
is on one side of him and Peter on the other. 
He is pointing to the altar, and explaining or 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 275 


teaching them something. Let us try and ap- 
proach him!’^ 

We at once made our way, but with difficulty, 
towards the spot where we had discovered him. 
The rumor that the Christ was in the Temple 
rapidly spread, and the whole multitude pressed 
towards the same point. At length, we attained 
our object so as to get within a few feet of him. 
Here a tall, richly attired Greek addressed Rabbi 
Amos, saying: 

''Sir, tell me who that youthful Jew is, whose 
countenance is stamped with firmness and benev- 
olence, so finely combined in its expression; 
whose air possesses such dignity and wisdom; 
whose noble eye seems filled with a holy sadness, 
and whose glance is full of innocence and sweet- 
ness. He seems born to love men and to com- 
mand them. All seek to approach him. Pray, 
sir, who is he?’’ 

"That, O stranger, is Jesus of Nazareth, the 
Jewish Prophet,” said Uncle Amos, delighted to 
point him out to a foreigner. 

"Then am I well rewarded for my journey in 
turning aside to Jerusalem,” answered the Gre- 
cian. "I have ever heard of his fame in Mace- 
donia, and am rejoiced to behold him. Think 
you he will do some great miracle?” 

"He performs miracles not to gratify curiosity, 
but to bear testimony to the truths he teaches, 
that they are delivered to him of God. Hark! 
He speaks,” cried my uncle. 

Every voice was hushed, as that of Jesus rose 
clear and sweet, and thrilling, like a celestial 


276 THE TRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

clarion speaking. And he preached, dear father, 
a sermon so full of wisdom, of love to man, of 
love to God, of knowledge of our hearts, of 
divine and convincing power, that thousands 
wept; thousands were chained to the spot with 
awe and delight, and all were moved as if an 
angel had addressed them. They cried, “Never 
man spake like this man!’’ and certainly never 
human lips dispensed such wisdom. 

When he had ended, the priests, seeing that he 
had carried the hearts of all the people, were 
greatly enraged, and not being able to vent their 
hatred and fear in any other way, they hired a vile 
person by the name of Gazeel, a robber, to take 
one of the blood-stained sacrificing knives from 
the altar, and creep towards him behind the 
column, and assassinate him. The robber drew 
near, and taking a favorable position to execute 
the deed, raised his hand to strike the Prophet 
from behind, when Jesus turning his head, 
arrested the hand of the assassin in mid-air, by a 
look! Unable to move a muscle, Gazeel stood 
betrayed to all eyes in this murderous attitude, 
like a statue of stone. 

When Jesus had exhibited him to all the vast 
concourse in this manner for a few minutes, he 
said to him: 

“Return to those who hired thee. My hour is 
not yet come: nor can they have any power over 
me until my Father’s will be fulfilled concerning 
me.” 

The assassin bowed his head with deep hu- 
mility; the knife dropped from his hand and rang 


THE TKINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 277 

upon the marble floor; and he sank at Jesus’ feet, 
imploring forgiveness. The people would have 
torn Gazeel in pieces, but Jesus said: 

^‘Let him depart in peace. The day shall 
come when he will be willing to lay down his life 
to save mine. Ye, priests, go about to kill me,” 
he added, fixing his clear gaze upon the group 
which had sent Gazeel. “For what do ye seek 
my life? Because I bear testimony to the 
wickedness of your owm. Ye lay heavy burdens 
on the people, and wall not lift them with one of 
your fingers. I have come to my own, and to 
my Temple, and ye receive me not. The day 
cometh when this Temple shall be thrown down, 
and not one stone left upon another; and some 
who hear me shall behold and mourn in that day. 
Oh, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, 
and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how oft 
would I have gathered thy children together, as 
a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, 
and ye w^ould not. Thou shalt be left desolate 
and cast out from among cities, because thou 
knew^est not the day of thy visitation. But ye, 
who w^ould escape these troubles, seek to enter 
my kingdom, which shall have no end ; fly to the 
Jerusalem wdiich is above, and which is above all, 
v/hose foundation is eternal, and whose Temple 
is the . Lord God Almighty, who is also the light 
and glory thereof ” 

Upon hearing these words, there arose a great 
cry from ten thousand voices: 

“Hail to Jesus, the king of Israel and Judah! 


278 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


Hosanna to the Prince of David! We will have 
no king but Jesus.’^ 

At this shout, which was caught and repeated 
beyond the four gates of the Temple, the priests 
cried aloud that the people were in insurrection. 

Pilate, who was, with his guard, just leaving 
the Court of the Gentiles, hearing it, turned to 
ask what it meant. One of the priests, desirous 
of having Jesus slain, quickly answered, 'That 
the people had proclaimed Jesus, the Nazarene, 
king,'' and that he was already placing himself at 
the head of the people. 

Hearing this, Pilate sent off messengers to the 
Castle of David for soldiers, and with his body- 
guard turned back to the Temple gate, charging 
the people, sword in hand. 

The tumult was now fearful, and the blood- 
shed would have been great, but Jesus suddenly 
appeared before him — none saw how he had 
reached the place — and said: 

"There is no insurrection, O Roman! I am 
Jesus, I seek no kingdom but such as my 
Father hath given me. Neither thy power, nor 
thy master's, is in peril. My kingdom is not of 
this world." 

Pilate was seen to bend his proud head with 
low obeisance before the Prophet, and said 
graciousl}^: 

"I have no wish to arrest thee. Thy word, O 
Prophet, is sufficient for me. Of thee I have 
hitherto heard much. Wilt thou come with me 
to my palace, and let me hear thee, and see some 
miracle?" 


THE PKINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


279 


'Thou shalt see me in thy palace, but not to- 
day; and thou shalt behold a miracle, but not 
now.’' 

When Jesus had thus said, he withdrew him- 
self from Pilate’s presence; and those who would 
have sought him to make him a king could no- 
where discover him. 

The result of this attempt of the people to 
make the Prophet their king, and under his 
direction to overthrow the Roman power, has 
been, that the Roman authorities, instigated by 
Annas and the priests, begin to look upon Jesus 
with eyes of jealousy; and Pilate this morning 
told a deputation of priests, who waited on him 
to petition him to arrest and imprison the Pro- 
phet, that on the first proof they could bring him 
of his hostility to Caesar, he would send soldiers 
to take him. To-day Jesus was refreshing him- 
self in our house, when several Scribes and Phar- 
isees came in. I saw by their dark looks they 
meditated evil; and secretly sent Elec with a 
message to Tlmilius, (now Eleazer), asking him 
to be at hand to protect Jesus; for ^milius is 
devoted to him as we are, and Jesus takes delight 
in teaching him the things of the kingdom of 
God. 

Jesus, knowing the hearts of these bad men, 
said to them, after they had seated themselves, 
and remained some minutes in silence: 

"Wherefore are ye come?” 

"Master,” said Jehoram, one of the chief 
Scribes, "we know that thou art a Teacher come 


280 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

from God, and fearest no man, nor regardest the 
person of any man.’’ 

‘"Yes,” added Zadoc, a Levite of great fame 
among the people, ‘'we have heard how boldly 
thou speakest at all times ; and that thou shrink- 
est from no man’s power — not even Pilate, nor 
Herod, nay, nor Caesar, could make thee refrain 
from what thou wiliest to utter. Is it lawful for us, 
Jews, the peculiar nation of God, to pay tribute 
to Caesar, who is an idolator? Is it lawful for us 
to obey the laws of Pilate, rather than of Moses? 
We ask this as Jews, to a Jew. Tell us frankly; 
for thou fearest not the face of any man.” 

“Let the question rest simply upon the tribute 
to the Romans,” answered Jehoram. “Master,, 
ought we, the holy nation, to give tribute to the 
Emperor Caesar?” 

Jesus looked fixedly upon them, as if he read 
their wicked designs, and said: 

“Show me the tribute money.” 

Zadoc handed him a penny, the Roman coin 
sent into Judea by Caesar, as our currency, and 
which we return to Rome again in tribute. 
When Jesus had taken the money, he looked on 
the head of Augustus stamped upon one side, 
arid then turning to them, as they waited breath- 
lessly for his answer, said sternly: 

“Whose image and whose name is here im- 
pressed?” 

“Caesar’s,” eagerly answered the whole party. 

“Then render unto Caesar the things that be 
Caesar’s, and unto God the things that be God’s,”* 
was his calm and wonderful answer. 


THK PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 281 


I breathed again ; for I feared he would answer 
openly that tribute ought not to be paid, which 
they hoped he would do, when they would imme- 
diately have accused him to Pilate as teaching 
that we ought not to pay tribute to Rome, and so« 
a fomenter of rebellion. 

But the divine wisdom of his answer relieved 
all our minds; while the Scribes and Levites, his 
enemies, looked upon him with amazement, in- 
terchanged glances of conscious defeat, and left 
the house. 

Such, dear father, is his wisdom, that his ene- 
mies cannot triumph over him. Oh, that you 
could see him and hear him. It is worth a visit 
from Egypt to Jerusalem to see and listen to 
him, and behold his miracles, of which he every 
day performs one or more; till disease, deformity, 
leprosy and sickness, seem to have disappeared 
from Jerusalem and all Judea. 

When ^milius arrived, and found Jesus alone 
with our family, unharmed, he spoke freely his 
satisfaction. 

‘'./Emilius,’’ said Jesus to him, ^^thou art now 
become a Jew. One step more, and thou shalt 
enter the kingdom of Heaven.” 

‘‘What step, dear master?” he asked, earnestly. 

“Thou must be baptized with the Holy Ghost, 
and thou shalt be partaker of eternal life.” 

“Rabboni,” said .^T^milius, “I verily thought 
that to be baptized a proselyte of thy people was 
to be Moses’ disciple, and to have the seal to life 
eternal. Have I still more to do?” 

,, “To be my disciple, .^milius. I am the end of 


282 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

the Law of Moses. He that believeth in me, 
though he were dead, yet shall he live. I give 
eternal life to as many as believe in me. But 
thou knowest not now what I say; thou shalt 
know hereafter.’’ 

iEmilius would have questioned him further, 
but Jesus left him, and went forth into the 
garden, where he remained late at night in medi- 
tation and prayer. 

I am rejoiced, dear father, that you permit me 
to accompany my Uncle Amos to Cesarea. We 
leave after the new moon. Believing, my dear- 
est father, that all I have written you touching 
Jesus has not been in vain, and that you are, with 
me and thousands in Israel, ready to believe him 
that he is the Christ, the Deliverer of Jacob, 

I remain vour affectionate daughter, 

ADINA. 


LETTER XXIII. 


My Dear Father: — I have received with joy 
your letter, in which you say you shall leave 
Egypt with the next Passover caravan, in order 
to visit Jerusalem. Already you must be on the 
way, and are by this time near Gaza, where my 
Uncle Amos says the caravan will halt to-morrow 
night. My heart bounds to embrace you, and 
my eyes fill with bright tears at the thought that 
I shall once more gaze upon your noble counte- 
nance, and hear the loved tones of your paternal 
voice. My happiness is augmented to know 
that you will be here while Jesus is in the city; 
for it is said, and John, Mary's cousin, asserts it, 
that he will certainly be at the Passover. I wish, 
dear father, oh, I wish you to see him, because I 
feel that you would be unable to resist the con- 
viction that he is the very Messias of God, of 
whom Moses and the Prophets wrote. But if 
his words, that divine eloquence and wisdom 
which flow from his sacred lips, do not convince 


'284 THE PKIXCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

you, the miracles he will do in proof of his mis- 
sion will be resistless. These miracles are daily 
becoming more and more mighty and amazing. 
For himself, for his own aggrandizement, and 
personal safety (for often has his life been put in 
peril by his foes), he never resorts to this divine 
power; but to give attestation to his words of 
truth that he came from God, to heal the suffer- 
ing, to relieve the distressed, he daily performs 
them. If man never spake like him, man never 
worked wonders such as he works. He has con- 
verted water into wine; healed by a word the 
dying son of the nobleman, Chuza, Herod’s first 
officer of his household, though many leagues 
from him at the time; he stilled a fearful tempest 
on the sea of Tiberius, by speaking to it and 
commanding peace! In, the country of the Gad- 
arenes he cast out unclean spirits from many de- 
moniacs, who, in coming out of the bodies of 
those they had possessed, acknowledged his 
power, and confessed him, as if against their will, 
to be the Christ, the son of David. Of the rais- 
ing of the daughter of the ruler Jarius, and of the 
son of the widow at Nain, I have already written 
3^ou. Besides these miracles of healing and rais- 
ing from the dead, he has been seen walking 
upon the sea a league from the shore, as firmly 
as if he trode upon a floor of porphyry; which 
many of the fishermen seeing, they were filled 
with terror, and made all sail to flee to the land, 
where they spread it abroad. He has restored 
sight to the blind, whose eyes were wholly gone; 
and created new limbs where legs and arms had 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 285 

been lost for years. Last week, Eli, a para- 
lytic, whom you knew, a scribe of the Levites, 
whose hand has been withered nine years, so that 
he had been dependent on the alms of the wor- 
shipers in the Temple for his bread, hearing of 
the power of Jesus, sought him at the house of 
Uncle Amos, where he was abiding; for it was 
our blessed privilege to have him our guest, for 
John, .his beloved disciple, being betrothed to the 
fair daughter of Uncle Amos, my gentle cousin 
Mary, always led the Prophet to our house. 

Jesus was reclining with our family at the 
evening meal, at the close of the day on which 
the uproar had taken place in the Temple, as de- 
scribed in m}^ last letter but one, when Eli came 
and stood within the door, iiumble and doubt- 
ing, his knees trembled, and he timidly and wist- 
fully looked towards Jesus, but did not speak. I 
knew at once what the afflicted man came for, 
and approached him, saying, ''Fear not, Eli; ask 
him, and he will make thee whole!’' 

"Ah, lady, I fear it is too much happiness for 
me to expect. It is more than I dare dream of. 
But I have come to him, hoping.” His voice 
trembled, and tears dropped from his eyes, as he 
thought of his family in poverty, and of his own 
helplessness. "How shall I speak to the great 
Prophet, daughter — I, a beggar at the gate of 
the Temple? Speak for me, and the Lord shall 
bless thee, child. My tongue cleaves to the roof 
of my mouth !” 

Jesus did not see the poor man, his face being 
turned towards Rabbi Amos, to whom he was 


286 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


explaining the meaning of the sacrifice of Abel. 
But leaving this conversation, he said, in a gentle 
voice, without turning round: 

“Come to me, Eli, and ask what is in thy heart, 
and fear not; for if thou believest, thou shalt re- 
ceive all thy wish!’’ 

At this Eli ran forward, and casting himself at 
Jesus’ feet, kissed them and said: “Rabbi, I am a 
poor, sinful man; I believe that thou art the 
Christ, the Son of the Blessed!” 

“Dost thou believe, Eli, that I have power to 
make thee whole?” asked Jesus, looking steadily 
upon him. 

“I believe, my Lord,” answered Eli, bowing 
his face to the ground. 

“Thy sins, then, be forgiven thee. Rise and 
go to thy house, and sin no more, lest a worse 
thing come upon thee.” 

“This man! forgiveth he sins also?” cried the 
venerable priest, Manasses, who was at the table. 
“He is a blasphemer! for God alone forgiveth 
sins. Will he call himself God?” And he rose 
quickly up and rent his robe, and spat upon the 
floor in detestation. 

“Manasses,” said Jesus, mildly, “tell me 
whether is it an easier thing to do: to say to this 
man kneeling here, 'Thy sins be forgiven thee,’ 
or to say, 'Stretch forth thine hand whole as the 
other? ” 

“It would be more difficult to do the latter,” 
answered Manasses, surprised at the question. 

“Who alone can do the latter, oh, priest?” 

“God alone, who first made him,” answered 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 287 


Manasses, gazing upon the withered arm, which, 
shriveled to the bone, hung useless at his side. 

*'If, then, God alone heals, and God alone for- 
giveth sins, both acts, Manasses, would be of 
God! Therefore,’’ said Jesus to the paralytic, ‘T 
say unto thee, Eli, stretch forth thy hand whole!” 

The man, looking upon Jesus’ face, and seem- 
ing to derive confidence from its expression of 
power, made a convulsive movement with his 
arm, which, his mantle falling off, was bared to 
the shoulder, exhibiting all its hideous deformity, 
and stretched it forth at full length. Imme- 
diately the arm was rounded with flesh and mus- 
cles; the pulse filled and leaped with the warm 
life-blood, and it became whole as the other. 
The change was so instantaneous that it was 
done before we could see how it was done. The 
amazed and wonderingly delighted Eli bent his 
elbow, expanded and contracted the fingers, felt 
the flesh and pressed it with his other hand, be- 
fore he could realize that he was healed. And 
he then lifted up his voice in praise to Jehovah, 
and casting himself at the feet of the Prophet, 
cried : 

''My Lord, and my God!” 

"Thou art now healed, Eli,” said Jesus, im- 
pressively; "go, and sin no more!” 

"Master, thou knowest all things! Lo! my 
sin even was not hid from thee, though I believed 
no eye beheld it. Men and brethren,” he con- 
tinued, addressing those who were assembled, 
"well did this holy Prophet of God say unto me, 
at the first, 'my sins were forgiven,’ instead of 


288 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


bidding me stretch forth my hand; for it was a 
sin that brought on my paralysis, as a punish- 
ment for it. I had copied a parchment for the 
Levite, Phineas, the tax-gatherer for the Temple 
service, and wickedly altered a figure in an 
amount, by which I should be a gainer of four 
shekels of silver. Instantly upon writing the 
last figure I felt a stroke of palsy, and my arm 
fell dead at my side. It was God’s punishment. 
This was eight years ago. No eye knew the 
deed but God’s and my own ; but I have repented 
it in deep humiliation. Therefore, as my with- 
ered arm was for the punishment of my sin, well 
did my Lord, the mighty Prophet, say unto me, 
"my sin was forgiven,’ for then would my punish- 
ment have been removed; for I felt already at his 
word the blood coursing through my parched 
veins!” 

Upon this frank acknowledgment, Manasses 
cried in amazement, ""Truly, God is good to 
Israel. The hour of his promise is come. 
Verily, oh, Jesus of Nazareth, thou art the Son 
of the Highest! Forgive a worm of the dust, 
and my sins also!” And the proud priest fell at 
Jesus’ feet, and bowled his snow-white locks upon 
tliem in adoration and reverence. 

If, then, dear father, the secret sins of men are 
known to Jesus; if he forgives sins as well as 
heals; if he removes the temporal penalties which 
God inflicts upon men for their iniquities, what 
name, what power, what excellence shall we give 
to him? Shall we not, with Esaias, call him ""the 
Wonderful, the Counsellor, the Mighty God, the 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 289 


Prince of Peace, who shall sit upon the throne of 
David to establish it with justice and judgment 
henceforth, even for ever?’’ '‘Who,” I repeat,, 
with Manassas, "who forgiveth sins but God 
alone?” 

How shall I be able to remember and repeat 
all the other mighty works which Jesus has done 
in proof of his divine power! You must have 
heard how he fed, from a small basket of bread 
(the frugal provision which a lad had brought 
into the desert for his mother and his brothers), 
no less than five thousand men, not naming the 
women and children. The vast multitude had 
followed him far from the cities to listen to his 
teachings; people of all classes and tongues, in- 
cluding not a few Roman captains. When the 
mighty host was an hungered, he caused them to 
sit down on the grass, and from the basket he 
took forth bread, inexhaustibly increasing unto 
his hand as he distributed; so that when all had 
eaten, there were gathered twelve times as much 
in fragments as the little basket originally held. 
Who, dear father, but Messias could do this 
miracle? He who could thus create bread at his 
will, is He not the Lord of the harvests of the 
earth? My mind is overwhelmed, my dear 
father — I am filled with astonishment and awe, 
when I reflect upon the might, power, and 
majesty of Jesus, and I fear to ask myself, — who 
more than man is he? Is he verily the awful and 
terrible Jehovah of Sinai, visible in the human 
form? Oh, wondrous and incomprehensible 
mystery! a man with Amighty_ power, and mani- 


290 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


festing the very attributes of Jehovah, the Lord 
of hosts, walking the earth, conversing with men, 
dwelling in our habitations, eating and drinking 
with us, and sleeping with the peaceful helpless- 
ness of an infant beneath our roofs. I dare not 
trust my thoughts to penetrate the mystery in 
which he walks among us in the veiled Godhead 
of his power. His beloved disciple, John, says 
that Jesus has promised the day is not far off 
when this veil will be removed, and we shall then 
know him, who he is, and wherefore he has come 
into the world, and the infinite results of his 
mission. 

The Passover is nigh at hand, when we shall 
again behold the majesty of his presence. I 
have just heard that Lazarus, the amiable brother 
of our cousins Mary and Martha, is taken sud- 
denly ill, and I close this letter in order to ac- 
company my cousin Mary and her father to 
Bethany, from whence they have sent us an ear- 
nest message of entreaty. May God preserve his 
life! 

Your devoted daughter, 

ADINA. 


LETTER XXIV. 


My Dear Father: — As I was closing my last 
letter to you, intelligence reached my Uncle 
Amos, that Lazarus, the amiable brother of 
Martha and Mary, w^as very ill. The message 
was brought by Melee, the old Gibeonite slave, 
who, with tears in his eyes, communicated to us 
the sad news. My cousin Mary and I at once set 
out to go to Bethany with him. Uncle Amos 
kindly offering his two mules for us to ride upon, 
promising himself to come out also after the 
evening service in the Temple, if Lazarus should 
be no better. 

We were soon beyond the city-walls, on the 
road to Bethany, guided by an aged servant, 
who, every few minutes, would urge us to ride 
faster; and then, lifting his hands and eyes, he 
would lament the danger of the young man, and 
the destitution of his sisters, should he be re- 
moved from them, he being, dear father, their 
only support, as I once wrote you; his occupa- 


292 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

tion being* that of copying out rolls of the Proph- 
ets, for the uses of the various synagogues. 

Although we did not expect to be able to do 
much by hastening to our dear relatives in their 
affliction, yet, we hoped, by our presence and 
heartfelt sympathy, to relieve much of the solici- 
tude of the beloved sisters for their dear brother. 

''Knowest thou. Melee, the disease that has 
suddenly seized my cousin?’’ asked Mary, as we 
wound slowly up the path that leads around the 
steepest side of Olivet. 

''Ah, dear me, noble lady, I know not,” an- 
swered Melee, shaking his head: "He has just 
returned from the city, where he had been stay- 
ing night and day for a week, laboring industri- 
ously to complete a copy of the Five Books of 
the blessed Moses for the Procurator’s chief cap- 
tain, for which he was to receive a large sum in 
Roman gold.” 

"What was the name of this captain who seeks 
to obtain our holy books?” I asked, hope half 
answering the question in my heart. 

"yF^milius, the brave knight, they say, who was 
made a proselyte at the last Passover; the same 
who nearl}^ captured the famous robber, Barab- 
bas, m}^ lady.” 

I was rejoiced to hear this proof of the steady 
desire of the princely Roman knight to learn our 
sacred laws, you may be assured, dearest father. 
But Melee went on speaking, and said: 

"It was his hard work to complete this copy 
which made him ill ; for he slept not, nor ceased 
to toil, until he had completed it; and when he 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 293 


came home, with the silver-bound roll in his 
hand, and laid it upon the table before his sisters, 
he fell, at the same moment, fainting to the 
ground. When they raised him up, he was in a 
fierce fever, and raved so that he knew no one 
around him.’’ 

1 ''Alas, poor Lazarus !” we both exclaimed, and 
urged our mules forward at a faster pace, our 
hearts bleeding for the sorrow of his sisters, and 
for his sad condition. I have already told you, in 
a former letter, in which I described my visit to 
the house of Mary and Martha, what a noble and 
good young man their brother was — how he was 
beloved by all who knew^ him ; and commanded 
the respect of his superiors by his dignity of 
bearing, while his manly beauty won the hearts 
of the maidens who were his sister’s friends. I 
told you how diligently he toiled for the mainte- 
nance of those dearly loved sisters and helpless 
mother, thinking only of their comfort, forgetful 
of his own. I also related how that his many 
virtues had won for him the friendship of the 
equally youthful Prophet Jesus, who loved to 
make his. abode his often abiding place; and lofty 
must the virtues and excellencies of a man be, 
dear father, to command the holy friendship of 
this man of God. Nearly of the same age, they 
walked and discoursed together in sweet com- 
panionship, like Jonathan and David in the 
golden age of our country’s glory. 

At length, an hour after leaving the gate of the 
city, we drew near to Bethany, and beheld the 
roof of the house of Lazarus. Upon it, watch- 


294 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


ing towards Jerusalem for us, we discovered the 
graceful form of Mary, who no sooner saw us, 
than she waved her hands in earnest longing. 
In a few moments we were in her arms, mingling 
our tears together. 

''Does he yet live?’’ I asked, scarcely daring to 
ask, as she led us into the house. 

"Yes, lives, but fails hourly,” answered Mary, 
with forced composure. "God bless you both 
for hastening to me.” 

At this moment, Martha’s pale and suffering 
face, beautiful even in its pallor, appeared in the 
door of the inner room. Upon seeing us, she 
advanced, and, taking both our hands in hers, 
she said, in a touching whisper, "You have come, 
sweet friends, to see my brother die!” 

She then led us into the room, where lay upon 
a couch the form of the invalid, whose perilous 
condition had brought a pang to the hearts of so 
many dear and loving ones around him. Upon 
entering the apartment, he turned his lustrous 
eyes upon us, and seemed to recognize us, as he 
smiled faintly a grateful recognition. Noble and 
beautiful as his countenance was in health, I 
thought that its expression, with his brilliant 
eyes and feverish cheek, was now superhuman. 

"He has slept a little,” said Martha, softly, to 
me; "but his fever is consuming him. He has 
closed his eyes again, and seems heavy; but his 
slumbers are restless, as you see; and he seems 
to think his dear friend, Jesus the Prophet, is by 
him; or he talks of Ruth, as if she were not 
present.” 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 295 


"‘And who is Ruth, dear Martha?” I asked, as 
I was about to follow her out of the room, leav- 
ing her brother to his weary repose. 

“Alas! it was for Ruth’s gentle love’s sake he 
now lies there,” she answered; “there is the sweet 
maiden kneeling by the other side of his couch, 
her tearful face buried in the folds of the cur- 
tains of his couch. She leaves him not a mo- 
ment; nay, though he does not seem to be sen- 
sible of her presence, yet, when she has once or 
twice left the room, he awakes directly and calls 
for her.” 

I turned, and regarded with tender interest the 
graceful and half-concealed form of the young 
girl as she bent over his pillow, her hand clasped 
by his. At this moment she looked up, and 
directed her gaze towards me. Her face was in- 
expressibly lovely, bathed, as it was, in its glitter- 
ing tear-dew, and her large, glorious eyes 
seemed like heavens of tenderness and love. 
Tier hair would have been raven black, save that 
a golden bronze enriched its waving masses at 
every play of the light upon it. As our eyes 
met, she seemed to receive me into her soul, and 
my heart to embrace hers. Lazarus moved and 
murmured her name, and she dropped her eyes, 
and bent like an angel over him. 

“Who is this marvellously lovely maiden?” I 
asked of Martha, as we went into the court of the 
hall. 

“The betrothed bride of our beloved brother,” 
answered she; “sit with me here in the shade, 
beneath this vine, and I will tell thee their sad 


296 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

Story. Lazarus, you know, dearest Adina, is a 
writer in the Temple, and by his labors has lived 
in humble competence, and surrounded us all 
with many comforts, nay, luxuries; for all we 
have, our mother and we owe to his filial and 
fraternal love. His attachment to us led him to 
forego the pleasure of all other society; for he 
said he found in our sweet bond of sisterly love, 
all that he required to render him happy. He 
was, therefore, insensible to all the attractions of 
the maidens who are our acquaintances and 
friends; and, when, a few months since, our 
mother was gathered to her fathers, he said he 
felt more than ever his duty to devote his life to 
our happiness. We w^ould fain have induced 
him to seek a companion for life, knowing his 
noble nature, and how he possessed in an emi- 
nent degree those amiable qualities which would 
render, as his wife, happy and honored, any 
daughter of Israel. But when urged by us, he 
would smile, and playfully say, that he had but 
a very little heart, and that it would hold no more 
love than mine and Mary’s. 

'‘A few weeks ago, as he was engaged late and 
alone in the copying-room of the Temple, upon a 
roll which the noble ^milius had ordered, and 
which he desired to have completed on a certain 
day, and for which he was to give him a large 
sum, he was startled by the sudden entrance of a 
young girl in great terror, who seemed to be fly- 
ing from pursuit. Upon beholding him, she 
bounded towards him, and, casting herself at his 
feet, implored his protection. Amazed and in- 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 297 


terested, he promptly promised it, but had hardly 
spoken the words, before Annas entered, and ad- 
vanced towards her. His face was flushed with 
rage, and his voice was loud and fierce, as he 
demanded her at the hand of my brother. 

“ 'Nay, my lord Annas,’ answered Lazarus, 
boldly ; 'were a dove to seek shelter from a hawk 
in my bosom, I would protect it, much more a 
distressed maiden of the daughters of Abraham!’ 
and he placed himself before the fugitive. 

" ‘Darest thou protect from me? She is my 
child, a wicked and disobedient daughter of 
Belial! Resign her to me, young scrivener, or I 
will have thee sent to the lowest dungeon of the 
castle of David.’ 

" ‘Oh, save me! save me!’ cried the young girl, 
as Annas advanced to seize her. ‘I am not his 
child! I am the orphan of Rabbi Levi, who left 
me and my estate to this false priest, as a sacred 
charge; and, having done, I know not what, with 
my inheritance, he would sell me in unholy mar- 
riage to a Greek captain in the Roman Legion, 
Avho offers him large bribes in gold for me. And 
when but now he would have delivered me up to 
him, I fled to the altars of my God for the protec- 
tion which man denied me; and, ignorant of the 
way, and lost in the labyrinth of the Temple, I 
found myself here. Rather than be given into 
the hands of this fierce and terrible Grecian, 
whom I have seen only to dread, I will cast my- 
self down from the height of the Temple!’ 

"And, to the surprise and horror of Lazarus, 
she bounded from the lattice, and stood upon the 


298 the prince of the h*ouse of david. 


edge of the rock, which looks sheer three hun- 
dred feet down into the valley beneath. 

‘‘ Thou seest, oh Annas, to what thy cupidity 
for gold will drive this maiden. Has the land of 
Israel sunk so low, that its chief priest will sell 
the daughters of the land for gold to the lust of 
the Gentiles? Is this the way thou givest pro- 
tection to orphans? Leave her; and until I find 
a protector for her, she shall be a sacred guest 
with my sisters, in their humble abode!’ 

'' ‘Thy life shall pay for this arrogance, young 
man,’ answered the priest. T have power over 
both, and will exercise it.’ 

“ ‘Not to the danger and wrong of this maiden^ 
my lord Annas, whom Jehovah will protect, 
since she has trustingly sought the sheltering 
wing of his altars,’ answered my brother, firmly. 
Tf you continue to persecute her, I will appeal to 
the Procurator, Pontius Pilate, against thee. 
Thou already knowest, that Roman justice 
knows how to punish Jewish guilt with terrible 
severity.’ 

'‘The result was,” continued Martha, ''that the 
wicked priest, alarmed by the threat of appeal to 
Pilate, relinquished his present purpose, and left 
them, breathing menaces against my brother. 
The same day Lazarus conducted the maiden,, 
whom you already guess to be Ruth, to our 
house; and she has since then been our guest, 
and has won all our hearts, as well as our dear 
brother’s. Pilate, to whom Lazarus appealed, 
has placed the shield of his protection between 
them and Annas. It was to obtain money, to be 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 299 

able soon to wed Ruth, that our brother has at 
length fallen a victim to his arduous toils, and 
now lies on the brink of the grave.” 

“Is there no hope for him?” I asked, after 
listening to her touching narrative. 

“'None! The physicians say that he will never 
rise again.” 

'‘There is one hope left,” I said eagerly. 

"What is that?” demanded Martha. 

"Jesus!” I answered; "send to him, oh Martha, 
and he will yet save him, and raise him up to life 
and health.” 

I had no sooner spoken, than Mary, who over- 
heard me, uttered a scream of joy. 

"Yes, Jesus has the power to heal him, and 
Jesus loves him! He will come and save him 
the moment he hears of his danger.” 

Immediately, Mary wrote on a slip of parch- 
ment, these brief and touching words: 

"Lord, behold he whom thou lovest is sick! 
Hasten to come to us, that he may live; for noth- 
ing is impossible with thee.” 

This message was forthwith despatched by the 
hands of a young friend to Bethabara, beyond 
Jordan, where w^e learn Jesus at present abides. 
We have, therefore, no hope for our dear rela- 
tive, but in the power of the Prophet. I will 
write as soon as we hear. Dear father. 

Your attached daughter. 


ADINA. 


LETTER XXV. 


My Dear and Honored Father: — It is with 
emotions of the deepest grief that I convey to 
you the sad intelligence of the death of Lazarus. 
It is amid the low sounds of the plaintive moans 
of his bereaved sisters over his lifeless form, and 
with my tears almost blinding my overflowing 
eyes, that I write to you. The hand of the Lord 
hath fallen heavily upon this household, and 
stricken down its prop, smitten the oak, around 
which clung these vine-like sisters, vine-like in 
their dependence upon him, and confiding trust 
in his wisdom and love. Now prostrate in the 
dust they lie, stunned by the sudden and mysteri- 
ous stroke of God’s providence. 

I have spoken to you of the noble character of 
Lazarus, in a former letter, dear father, how that 
by writing in the Scribe’s room in the Temple, 
he supported his venerable mother and sisters, 
while they, in their affection, labored with the 
needle in embroidery work, wherein they had 


THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 301 


very delicate skill, in order to lighten his labors. 
To the young men of Israel, Lazarus was held up 
by the Elders, as a pattern of filial and brotherly 
virtue, and honest industry; and to his sisters, 
Mary and Martha, other maidens were directed 
to look for examples of maidenly piety and dili- 
gent household thrift. Their humble dwelling 
was the home of hospitality and kindness, and 
thither the Prophet of God, Jesus, loveth to 
resort whensoever his great labors will permit 
him. Nearly of the same age, a holy friendship 
had sprung up between him and Lazarus, who 
so loved the Blessed Anointed One of God, that 
he would readily have laid down his life for him. 
I have told you, dear father, what a happy house- 
hold I have se-en it when Jesus completed the 
number; for he stayed so much with them when 
not preaching, or when wishing to rest a day or 
two from his weary toil, that they came to regard 
him as one of their family. Mary would devise 
ways to do him honor, and show her respect and 
affection, by working for him silken covers for 
the Books of the Prophets, which Lazarus would 
copy and present to his beloved friend; while 
Martha seemed ever to be thinking what and 
how she should administer to his comfort, by 
providing every delicacy for her table. But so 
that Jesus could find listeners to his words of 
truth and wisdom, like Mary — who loved to sit 
at his feet and hear the golden language fall from 
his sacred lips — ^he thought not of meats or 
drinks. 

One day, when I, with Mary and Lazarus, was 


302 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

listening to his heavenly teachings, wrapt in 
wonder and absorbing interest, Martha, who was 
preparing the meal, came and desired Mary to 
come and assist her; but the dear, pious girl, 
heeded not nor heard her, she was feeding, so 
forgetful of all else, upon the celestial food that 
fell from the lips of Jesus, who was talking to us 
of the kingdom of God and the glories of heaven, 
and the necessity of holiness to dwell there. At 
length, Martha, finding that Mary heard not, ap- 
pealed to Jesus, saying something sharply: 

'‘Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath 
left me to serve alone? Bid her, therefore, that 
she help me.’’ 

We turned with surprise to hear her, who was 
usually so gentle and good, thus forget what was 
due to the presence of the Prophet; and Lazarus, 
blushing, was about to speak and excuse his 
sister, who looked as if she were much worried 
with her domestic troubles; but Jesus said kindly 
to her: 

“Martha, Martha, thou art careful and 
troubled about many things; thy household 
takes up too much of thy time and thoughts. In 
this world, but one care is truly worthy of the 
regard of men, which is to provide sustenance 
for the soul; for the body perisheth. Mary hath 
cliosen more wisely than thyself. While thou 
carest much for the wants of the body, she careth 
for those of the spirit, and thus has that good 
part which shall not be taken away from her. 
Think not, beloved Martha, of sumptuous living 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 303 


for hjc, who have no earthly goods, not even 
v/here to lay my head!” 

“Say not thus, oh, say not so, dear Lord,” 
cried Martha, suddenly bursting into tears at 
Jesus’ touching words, and casting herself im- 
pulsively at his feet; “this house is thy home — 
ever beneath its roof, while I have one above me, 
shalt thou have where to lay thy head! Say not 
so, 3ny Lord!” 

We were all moved at Martha’s pathetic ear- 
nestness. Jesus raised her up, and said to her, 
gently: 

“It is thy love for me, I well know, that 
maketh thee so careful and troubled to provide 
for me at thy bountiful table. But I have meat 
to eat that ye know not of. Thus, to teach the 
truths of God, as thou findest me doing to these, 
is to me meat and drink, for herein I am doing 
my Father’s will, who sent me.” 

I have been particular in giving you, dear 
father, these details of the domestic relations ex- 
isting in the abode of Lazarus, and the sv/eet 
friendship that resided in their bosoms towards 
Jesus, and his familiar, brotherly love for them. 
You can now understand why, when Lazarus 
was taken ill, after his laborious vigils to copy 
the manuscript for the Roman Centurion, a mes- 
sage was at once sent to Jesus, who was in Beth- 
abara beyond Jordan; for a physician of Jerusa- 
lem, whom the noble Caiaphas had sent out to 
Bethany, on hearing of the sudden sickness of 
the youthful Secretary, to whom he was greatly 
attached, for all people did love him who knew 


304 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


him — this physician had at once pronounced him 
in danger of sudden death from inward bleeding 
of the lungs. 

'‘Why, then,’' you may ask dear father, 
"should they send for Jesus, when death was 
certain. Jesus,” you add, "was no physician, or 
if he had been, he could not reverse the fate of 
the dying young man!” 

The fact, dear father, that under these circum- 
stances they did send to Jesus to come and heal 
him, shows that it was not as a human physician 
they desired his presence, but as the miracle- 
working Prophet of God! It proves, and will, I 
trust, prove to you, dearest father, that they 
who should best know his power, believe as- 
suredly that he could save their brother. It is 
testimony irresistible towards sustaining his 
claim to have come down from God ! It is those 
who are most intimate with others who do know 
them best. Now, that the sisters of Lazarus 
sent a message presently to Jesus to interpose 
between death and his life, shows that they 
plainly believed he had not only the power of 
miracles, but had power over death; and that 
they had witnessed instances of his power suffi- 
cient to give them faith in his ability to save their 
brother; while they knew that his love for him 
would certainly prompt him to exert it. 

In my last letter I closed with informing you 
of the departure of the messenger. After he had 
gone out of sight from the door, and the last 
echo of his horse’s hoofs ceased to be heard by 
the long-listening ears of his sister Martha, I re- 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 305 


entered the room where Lazarus lay. He was as 
white as marble. His large, black eyes seemed 
to be twice their usual size and brilliancy. He 
breathed with difficulty, and every few moments 
he would be compelled to have his head raised, 
in order to free his mouth from the welling blood 
that was constantly bubbling up from the broken 
fountains of his life. Mary’s tender privilege it 
was to render him this service of love. As she 
bent over him. looking downward with anxious 
fondness into his pale, intellectual face, watching 
every shadow of the change that the sable wing 
of advancing death cast over it, I thought I had 
never gazed on a more lovely being! Who, in 
beholding the seraphic beauty of her face, the 
brilliant light of her dark eyes, which were now 
glittering with sisterly grief, the graceful expres- 
sion of her proud, Rebecca-like head, and the 
superb outline of her figure, where love and 
majesty seemed blent to mould a second Eve — 
who, in the admiration of her person, could read 
wdthin and beneath all the secret sorrow of her 
soul! Who would believe that a dark cloud 
rested on her spirit, and that her happiness was 
no longer on earth! As I gazed upon her, I 
forgot, for the moment, the dying young man, 
about whose form her snow-white arms were en- 
twined, his head reclining upon her bosom, her 
raven tresses bronzed with a golden light, all 
unbound and floating above him, and far over 
his pillow, like a rich veil interwoven of sable 
silken gloss and threads of gold. I could not 
gaze upon that abundant hair without recalling 


306 THE PKINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

the day not long before, when, at the dwelling of 
Rabbi Joseph Solomon, she drew near suddenly 
to Jesus, who was his guest, and bathed his feet 
with her fast flowing tears, mingling therewith 
her kisses, and then dried them with her shining 
hair! 

And wherefore did she weep upon the feet of 
Jesus? you may ask, dear father. They were 
tears of gratitude and penitence. Her history 
you know, at least as rumor had it three years 
ago, with evil additions thereto. It is true, Mary 
sinned, and should not be exculpated; but her 
sin was in leaving her maternal roof, yielding, m 
her unsuspecting innocence, to the dazzling 
temptations of the young prince Herod. It is 
not true that she was tempted by ambition and 
power. She has poured into my ear all her sad 
and touching story. Prince Plerod had but re- 
cently returned with his father Antipas, from 
Rome, and was a youth comely in person, well 
skilled in the fascinations that easiest win the 
hearts of the guileless. By accident he saw Mary 
one morning at the palace of Pilate the Procura- 
tor, whither she had gone to deliver the wife of 
the Governor a piece of embroidery-work which 
she had done at her command. It would seem, 
that having made inquiries touching her condi- 
tion in life, he feigned to be a writer of parch- 
ments, and thus readily making the acquaintance 
of the unsuspecting Lazarus, was readily intro- 
duced beneath his roof. Here, as an humble 
scribe, dressed in plain and coarse apparel, he 
often came, and succeeded in winning the heart 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 307 


of the lovely girl. At length, in an evil hour, she 
listened to his temptation secretly to elope with 
him, to be united to him at his mother’s house, 
he having urged to her that his open marriage 
would estrange from him the regards of his 
uncle, a wealthy scribe, who desired, if he mar- 
ried not for seven years, to enrich him with his 
ealth. 

To this tale she listened. But instead of being 
taken by him to the roof of the mother, of whom 
he had falsely spoken to her, she found herself 
seized, and her mouth stopped by the leader of a 
party of horsemen, who suddenly came up the 
path, and who, dismounting, placed her on be- 
fore him. The young scribe, mounting a led 
horse, headed the band, and the whole escort 
galloped northward at rapid speed. Ignorant in 
whose power she was, and fearing for her be- 
trothed husband as well as for herself, supposing 
that he was forcibly in their hands also, she tried 
by listening to ascertain what was to be done 
with her, and who her captors w^ere. To her 
surprise she heard the voice of her lover giving 
directions to the horsemen from time to time, 
Vvhich she could hardly believe; but when the 
moon rose, she succeeded so far in removing her 
veil as to enable her to recognize him as the 
leader of the troop. 

After riding all night, they stopped at a well, 
near Samaria, at dawn of day. Here refresh- 
ments were offered her, but she refused them, 
and begged to be permitted to speak to her lover. 
But he did not come near her. After an hour’s 


308 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

rest in the caravaiisera, they once more pro- 
ceeded on their route in a northerly course. 
Leaving Mount Gerizim in the rear, with the 
Jordan on their right, they at noon reached the 
base of Mount Tabor. After three hours’ re- 
pose, they crossed the eastern shoulder of the 
HiOuntain, from which was a magnificent view of 
the sea of Galilee. Descending the mountain, 
they reached, just as the sun set, the gate of a 
castle that overlooks the town of Nazareth. 
This they entered, and the portals closed upon 
her. 

But I will not be weary with too minute a nar- 
rative, dear father; my object is only to vindicate 
my cousin Mary from intentional guilt. Ushered 
into superb apartments, her lover, attired in all 
the splendor of a prince, soon appeared before 
her, and acknowledged he had been deceiving 
her; that he was Herod Valerius, the son of the 
Herod Antipas, Tetrarch of Galilee, and that she 
was now in one of the palaces of his family. 
Who can describe the horror, shame, and grief of 
this cruelly deceived and erring girl! Bitterly 
did her tears flow at the too trusting step she had 
taken, thus sinning against God. But tears and 
repentance, implorations and entreaties for per- 
mission to return to her humble home, were in 
vain. As she had sown, she had reaped. 

At the expiration of three months, she suc- 
seeded in making her escape, and fled to the feet 
of Mary of Nazareth, the .mother of the Prophet 
Jesus. To her she made known all, and received 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OH DAVID. 


309 


her sympathy while she bowed her penitent head 
beneath her reproofs. Here it was that she first 
beheld the holy Prophet, and received from him 
the consolations of the forgiveness of heaven for 
her sin. Led by his noble mother, she bent her 
steps back again to her father's house. All 
Bethany knew of her shame — that is, knew that 
she had fled with the dissolute prince Valerius, 
and was living with him in sin at his castle in 
Galilee; but they knew not any extenuating cir- 
cumstances. So she entered Bethany closely 
A eiled and with hurried step sought the shelter of 
her mother’s arms, if, peradventure, they would 
be open to receive her. 

At length, after many weeks, all who knew her 
were acquainted with the truth, and their cold 
censure was softened into pity ; and as she went 
about doing good, as she visited, like an angel, 
the sick and sorrowing, she won back all hearts, 
and was loved and honored as before. But the 
cold world still looked upon her as a guilty one 
— as a sinner; but had they known how deep her 
sorrow was for all the past, they would also have 
removed the barbs from the sharp arrows of their 
tongues. 

Since then, all the generous care of Lazarus 
and Martha, and of their friends, has been to 
make her forget the past; and as it is three years 
since what I have described happened, the pre- 
vailing gentle sadness that now shades her coun- 
tenance, alone shows to the loving gaze of those 
around her what she has suffered. It was Jesus 


310 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


who reconciled her to her brother and sister, and 
hence her deep gratitude to him, which she has 
shown, not once, but many times, when he has 
been their guest, by bathing his feet with her 
tears, and wiping them with the hairs of her 
head. Her place is ever at his feet. Lovely and 
guilty one, her tears are her daily offering to 
heaven, and will atone for deeper guilt than hers, 
if tears do wash away sins; but she says nothing 
has given consolation to her heart like the voice 
of Jesus, when he said to her, ''Daughter, thy 
sins be forgiven thee!'’ "The words," she added 
to me, "penetrated my heart, and illuminated the 
darkness of my soul with ineffable, unspeakable 
peace!" 

I commenced this letter by informing you of 
the departure of the good and generous, and 
pious Lazarus. He fell asleep in death as an in- 
fant sinks to slumber in its mother's arms, grad- 
ually sinking from the loss of blood, growing 
fainter and fainter till his eyes closed, his pulse 
ceased to throb, and his noble heart to flutter, 
h’ke an escaping bird beneath the hand's light 
pressure. 

All too late was Jesus sent for! He is dead! 
To-morrow his burial will take place. Alas! 
ho^\ suddenly has perished the noblest young 
man in Judea! 

Farewell, dear father! My heart is full; I can 
write no more. The day after to-morrow I re- 
turn to Jerusalem, when I will write you again. 
You said in your last letter you would soon leave 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 311 


Egypt for Judea, for the purpose of taking me 
back to my dear native valley of the Nile. The 
God of Abraham preserve you in your journey, 
and bring you in safety to the embraces of 

Your loving daughter, 


ADINA. 


LETTER XXVL 


My Dear Father: — In my last letter I told you 
that Lazarus was dead! I write this to say that 
he that w^as dead is alive! Lazarus lives! He 
whom I saw dead and buried, and sealed up 
within the rocky cave of the tomb, he is alive 
again from the dead; and at this moment, while 
I am penning this extraordinary account, I hear 
his voice upon the porch, as he is engaged in re- 
lating what has transpired respecting himself to a 
crowd of wondering people from Jerusalem. 
Even Pilate, the Roman Procurator, stopped his 
chariot at the door this morning, to see Lazarus, 
and have speech of him. 

How, my dear father, how shall I find ade- 
quate language to tell you all that has happened 
within the last twenty-four hours! How shall I 
make you fully believe the marvellous recital 
which I have taken up my pen to make! I know 
not how to begin the wonderful narrative, for the 
joy that prevents me from arranging my 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 313 * 

thoughts and presenting the facts intelligently to 
}OU. God has indeed remembered his chosen 
people Israel once more, and shown his power 
among us! 

You have already been informed by me how 
rapidly Lazarus failed after his sudden attack of 
hemorrhage of the chest, and that he soon died; 
and that, in hopes that he might avert death,. 
Jesus was sent for at the first to come to him. 
But Bethabara was a day's journey, and ere the 
messenger reached him the soul of his friend had 
fled. The next day he was buried; a very large 
concourse of people from the town of Bethany,, 
and from j erusalem, coming to his burial ; for he 
was greatly beloved; even the chariot of the 
noble lady, Lucia Metella, the good and virtuous, 
wife of Pilate, was present to do honor to the 
obsequies of him who had no other renown than 
his virtues. 

The funeral procession was so very long, that 
strangers pausing, asked what great master in 
Israel, or person of note, was being taken to the 
sepulchre. 

Some answered, ‘^Lazarus, the industrious 
scribe!" Others said, '‘a young man who has 
devoted his life to honor his mother!" Others 
answered, as Lazarus himself, were he alive,, 
would have had them ; 

'Tt is Lazarus, the friend of Jesus!" 

This living, was his proudest title; and dead, 
he would have desired no other. Ah, dear 
father, may the day yet come when you shall 
deem such a title greater honor than the gold of 


314 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


Egypt, or all the glory of your proud descent 
from Abraham and David! 

The place where they were to lay him was the 
cave in which both his father and mother were 
entombed. It was in a deep, shady vale, that 
opened into the valley of the Kedron. It was 
thickly shaded by cypress, palm, and pomegran- 
ate trees; and a large tamarind grew, with its 
stately branches, overclasping the summit of the 
secluded place of sepulchre, while an abrupt cliff 
of Olivet hung impending down, like the shaggy 
brow of a giant looking down upon the spot. 
Above the tree-tops, in the direction of Kedron, 
were visible the majestic heights of the distant 
Temple, and the warlike battlements of the city 
of David, while the sunlight, glancing upon the 
dazzling shield of a sentinel who was standing 
upon its loftiest watch-tower, caused it to gleam 
hke a lesser sun. The remote swell of a Roman 
bugle from the head of a cohort, which was just 
issuing from the gate of Damascus, came softly 
and musically to our ears, as we stood in silence 
about the grove wherein we were to place the 
dead, ^milius, the Centurion, was also pres- 
ent, wearing a white scarf above his silver cuir- 
ass, in token of grief; for he also loved Lazarus. 
Of him, dear father, I have not of late spoken; 
for should I begin to write of him, I should have 
no room in my letters for any other theme. 
You will soon see him, and judge for yourself 
how worthy he is of your confidence, and all the 
love of my heart. I am too grateful to you, 
dearest father, for not refusing your consent to 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 315 


our union, but only withhold it until you reach 
Jerusalem. The blessed winds waft your bark 
swiftly to Jaffa, that I may soon embrace you, 
and present to you the noble ^milius, who is as 
faithful a worshiper of our God as if he were a 
son of Abraham by birth rather than by adop- 
tion. 

The sacred observances at the grove being 
over, they raised the body of the dead young 
man from the bier, and four youths, aided by 
^milius at the head to support it, conveyed it 
into the yawning cavern. A moment they 
lingered on the threshold, that Mary and Martha 
might take one more look, imprint upon its icy 
cold lips one last kiss, press once more his un- 
conscious head to their loving and bursting 
hearts. I also gazed upon him, weeping at their 
sorrow, and sorrowing to behold so noble a face, 
beautiful as chiseled alabaster, about to be con- 
signed to the loathsome worm of the charnel- 
house. He was so good, and excelling all his 
companions in all things great and pure, and 
lofty in character; my tears flowed, and I felt 
that had I not loved .^milius, I should have 
loved Lazarus. 

The young men moved forward into the gloom 
of the cave. Mary rushed in, and with 
disheveled hair, cried: 

^^Oh, take him not away forever from the sight 
of my eyes! Oh, my brother, my brother, would 
that I had died for thee! for I am willing to lie 
down with the worm and call it my sister, and 
sleep in the arms of death, as on the breast of my 


316 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


mother! Thou wert happy and honored, and 
should have lived! 1 am wretched and heart- 
broken, and such only should die! Oh, brother, 
brother, let them not take thee forever from the 
sight of my eyes! Without thee, how shall life 
be life!’’ 

^T^milius entered the tomb, and tenderly rais- 
ing her from the body, on which she had cast 
herself in the eloquent abandonment of her wild 
grief, he led her forth, and beckoning to me, 
placed her in my arms. 

Martha bore her own griefs with more com- 
posure, but her face expressed how deeply she 
was moved within, thus to say adieu for ever to 
her only brother, to her beloved Lazarus, who 
had been the strong rock which had presented 
ever its front to the shock of the stormy billows 
of this life, as they threatened her and Mary, and 
was a tower of strength to them in the day of 
trouble; as well as an exhaustless fountain of 
holy domestic joy! 

The body being placed in a niche hollowed 
out in the rock, was decently covered with a 
grave mantle, all but the calm face, which was 
bound about by a snow-white napkin. Maidens 
of the village advanced and cast flowers upon 
his head, and many, many were the sincere tears, 
both from beneath manly lids and those of vir- 
gins, which bore tribute to his worth. 

The burial ceremonies being ended, five 
strong men replaced the ponderous stone door 
closely fitting the entrance to the cave, and so 


THE PKINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 317 

secured it by letting it into a socket that it would 
require a like number to remove it. 

As we were retiring with heavy hearts from 
performing this last duty to the beloved dead, the 
sun sank beyond the blue hills of Ajalon in the 
west, in a lake of gold, gilding the pinnacle of 
the Temple, and making it appear like a gigantic 
spear elevated into the sky. From the Levites 
at evening sacrifice came mellowed by the dis- 
tance the deep chant of the Temple service, 
uttered by two thousand voices. The cloud 
from the altar sacrifice ascended slowly into the 
still air, and catching the splendor of the sun’s 
last beams, shone like the pillar of cloud and of 
fire which stood above the tabernacle in the 
wilderness. The laborers in the harvest were 
hastening towards the gates, ere they should be 
shut for the night by the Roman guards; and 
dwellers in the village were hurrying forth, lest 
they should by chance be held in the city over 
night. 

There was a sacred hush in the sleepy atmos- 
phere that seemed in sympathy and touching 
harmony with the scene in which we had just 
borne a part. With Mary leaning sobbing upon 
my shoulder, I sat upon a rock near the tomb, 
giving my heart up to the sweet influence of the 
hour. We were alone, save ^milius, who sat 
upon his horse near by, and seemed to be gazing 
upon the beauty of the evening scene. Martha 
and my cousin, with John, had returned to the 
now desolate home of which Lazarus had been 
the light and the honor. 


318 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

“I am calmer now/’ said Mary, after a while 
raising her head, and looking into my face, her 
splendid eyes glittering brimfull with tears: “I 
am better now! The peace of the sweet holy 
skies seems to have descended, and entered my 
heart. The heavens of my soul are as clear and 
pure, and peaceful, as those above me! The 
spirit of Lazarus pervades all, and hallows all I 
see! I will weep no more. He is happy, very 
happy, and I will try to be holy and go to him, 
for he cannot come to me!” 

At this moment we heard the tramp of horses’ 
hoofs, and ^milius, startled thereby from his 
reverie, recovered his seat and laid his hand upon 
his sword; for though the Romans have the 
mastery in our land, as conquerors, they are not 
loved; and scarcely a week passes without some 
conflict between the soldiers of the Legion and 
the common people among the Jews; and even 
the officers have been attacked when riding 
abroad from Jerusalem not sufficiently attended. 

^milius, therefore, who had with him only his 
white-haired Celtic servant, Frwynn, prepared to 
receive a foe or welcome his friends. The next 
moment, around a rock projecting from the 
shoulder of Olivet, appeared first, one horseman 
in the wild, warlike costume of an Ishmaelite of 
the desert, brandishing a long spear in the air; 
then another and another similarly clad and 
armed, and mounted on superb horses of the 
desert; then dashed in sight alone, a tall, daring- 
looking young man, in a rich costume, half 
Grecian, half Arabic, though his dark, handsome 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 319 


features were decidedly Israelitish. He rode a 
superb Abyssinian charger, and sat upon his 
back like the heathen centaur I have read of in 
Latin books, which ^milius has given me to 
read. Upon seeing me, he drew rein and smiled, 
and waved his jeweled hand with splendid cour- 
tesy; but at the sight of ^milius, his dark eyes 
flashed, and leaping to his feet in his stirrups, he 
shook his glittering falchion towards him, and 
rode with a trumpet-like cry full upon him. 

The brave Roman soldier received the charge 
by turning his horse slightly, and catching the 
point of the weapon upon the blade of his short 
sword. 

‘'W e meet at last, oh Roman cried this wild, 
dashing chief, as he wheeled his horse like light- 
ning, and once more rode upon the iron-armed 
Roman knight. 

'*Ay, Barabbas, and with joy I hail thee,’' re- 
sponded ^milius, placing a bugle to his lips. 

At hearing the clear voice of the bugle awak- 
ing the echoes of Olivet, the dread robber chief, 
of whom you have heard me speak before, dear 
father, said haughtily, and with a glance of con- 
tempt : 

“Thou, a knight of the tribune, and com- 
mander of a legion, call for aid, when I offer thee 
equal battle, hand to hand, and ask not my own 
men’s swords.” 

“I know no equal battle with a robber. I 
would hunt thee as I would do the wolf and the 
wild beasts of thy desert,” answered ^milius, 
pressing him closely. At a signal from the rob- 


320 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

ber chief, his four men, who had reigned up a 
short distance of¥, near the tomb of Lazarus, sent 
up a shriil, eagle-like scream, that made my 
blood stand still, and rode down like the wind to 
overcome ^milius. 

Hitherto I had remained like one stupefied at 
being an involuntary spectator of a sudden bat- 
tle; but on seeing his danger, I was at his side, 
scarce knowing how I reached the place. 

'‘Retire, dear Adina,’’ he said, “I shall have to 
defend both thee and myself, and these barbar- 
ians will give my both hands enough to do.’" 
As he spoke, he turned his horse’s head to meet 
the four-fold shock, and I escaped, I know not 
how, with the impulse to hasten to Bethany for 
succor. But heaven interposed its aid — a de- 
tachment of the body guard of Pilate, which 
^milius had left in an olive grove to bivouac 
and refresh themselves and horses, hearing the 
recall of their chief’s bugle, came now threading 
up the hill, a score strong of armed men, bearded 
Gauls, who had served in Britain against the 
Piets. At the sight, Barabbas and his party fled, 
like wild pigeons pursued by a cloud of Iturean 
hawks. Barabbas, however, turned more than 
once to fling back defiance to his foes. ^Emilius 
by this means came up with him, seized the crim- 
son sash which encircled his waist, and held him 
thus, both fighting as they rode. The troops 
soon came up with them, and after a desperate 
battle the celebrated robber chief was taken 
alive, though bleeding with many wounds, and 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


321 


bound with his own sash to the column of one of 
the tombs, ^milius was but slightly hurt; and 
I never saw such bright joy as sparkled in his 
eyes, that he had at length captured the bold 
bandit leader, who had so frequently before es- 
caped him, and to get possession of whom he had 
made so many attempts. There lay at length in 
his power the terror of all the country between 
Jericho and Jerusalem, a bound captive. He 
smiled still proudly defiant, and looked haughty 
and wildly noble, even in his bonds. His men 
were also taken; and giving them, with their 
chief, into the charge of his soldiers, to convey to 
the prisons of Jerusalem, ^milius rejoined Mary 
and I, and accompanied us to the house of the 
two sisters. 

It appears that Barabbas, emboldened by the 
rumor that a rich company of merchants were to 
leave Jerusalem at day-break, for Damascus, had 
advanced near the city with a few followers, to 
lie in wait for their coming out, and hang on 
their path until they should have entered a defile 
in the mountains of Bethel, where his troop were 
lying in ambush; and it was while seeking a 
shelter from notice among the tombs in the vale 
of Olivet that he came suddenly upon us, ^mil- 
ius says that he will assuredly be crucified for 
his numerous crimes. Dreadful punishment! 
and for one so young and prepossessing as this 
desert robber to come to such an ignominious 
and agonizing death; to hang for hours under 
the sun-beams by lacerated hands and feet, till 


322 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

death comes from slow exhaustion of all the 
powers of nature. I am amazed that so polite 
and humane a nation as the Roman can inflict 
such a cruel and agonizing death, even upon 
their malefactors. Last week, as I was walking 
with my Uncle Amos among the sepulchres of 
the kings outside of the north gate, being pre- 
vented from re-entering the gate by the passage 
of a Roman Legion to suppress an insurrection 
in Samaria, we passed round by the western 
gate, to reach which we had to pass the foot of 
the Hill of Calvary, upon which two crosses were 
erected, on one of which hung the still living 
body of a seditious Jew, executed by order of the 
Procurator. He writhed fearfully, while his 
groans penetrated my heart. I covered my eyes 
and my ears, and begged Rabbi Amos to hurry 
with me from such a fearful spectacle. Yet it 
was in full sight of the city, of the road; and 
many spectators, both of women and men, lin- 
gered to gaze. Ignominious, indeed, must the 
life of a man have been, for him to be justly 
doomed to suffer such a death. 

In this letter, deai^est father, I intended to re- 
late to you how Lazarus has been restored to 
life, but it is already taken up with so much, that 
I defer it to my next. But, believe me, that 
Lazarus is living and well, and thousands are 
crowding into Bethany, and thronging the 
house, to see this great thing that hath happened. 
Suffice for me to tell you, at the close of this let- 
ter, that it was Jesus who raised him from the 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 323 


dead, the Prophet of God of whom you are yet 
in doubt whether he be the Messias or no! Ah, 
is he who raised the widow’s son of Nain — who 
walked on the sea a league to his disciples’ boats 
— who stilled the tempest by the word of his 
power — who fed five thousand men with five 
pounds weight of bread — who healed the noble- 
man Hadad’s son — who raised the dead daughter 
of the Galilean ruler, Jarius — who restores the 
deaf, the blind, the dumb, by a word, a touch, a 
look — around whose path and life are gathered 
together such a multitude of testimonies to his 
superhuman power, in prophecies, in mighty 
works, and in glittering miracles — ah, my dear 
father, is he only a common man; is he an im- 
poster? Oh, is he not, is he not the Son of God 
— the Messias of the Prophets — the Lion of the 
tribe of Judah — the Deliverer and future glory 
of Israel? Is he not He whose day of splendor 
Abraham saw’^ afar off, and was glad? Is He not 
Shiloh, whom the patriarch Jacob beheld rise up 
to wield the sceptre of Israel? Is He not the 
mighty Son of God, whom the burning pen of 
Esaias records in these words of inspiration : 

‘'Unto us a child is born — unto us a son is 
given; and the government shall be upon his 
shoulders: and his name shall be called Wonder- 
ful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting 
Father, the Prince of Peace; who shall sit upon 
the throne of David, and establish it with justice 
and judgment from henceforth, even forever!” 

Think of these things, dear father, ponder 


324 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


them well, and let not the poverty of Jesus be a 
stumbling-block to your faith in Him as Messias. 
That he has raised Lazarus from the dead, is 
alone proof to me that He is the Son of God. 

Your affectionate daughter, 

ADINA. 


LETTER XXVII. 


My Dear Father: — Your letter has filled me 
with joy that I can poorly express by my pen. 
It was received this morning by the courier from 
Egypt, with the package, both being safely 
placed in my hands, nine days only after they 
quitted your own. I kissed them, and pressed 
them again and again to my heart, at the thought 
that they were so lately touched by your fingers. 
The letter assures me that you are certainly to 
leave at the new moon, and after a few day’s de- 
lay at Gaza, will be with me not many days after- 
wards. This letter I shall send so as to meet 
you at Gaza. 

Three years, three long years, dearest father^ 
have passed since I last saw your venerable and 
kind face. Ah, when you come, how I shall love 
you, and hang upon you, and watch every look,, 
and catch your every word! It is true, my Uncle 
Amos has been next to a father to me, all affec- 


326 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

tion and goodness ; but no love or care can hold 
the place of a father’s to a daughter. 

When 1 review the interesting scenes I have 
passed through, the wonderful events which I 
have witnessed since I first came to Jerusalem, 
nearly three years ago, with the caravan of Rabbi 
Ben Israel, I do not regret my long absence from 
you, dear father; for to have been in Jerusalem 
during the period I have named, is a privilege 
that Abraham and all the patriarchs and prophets 
of God would have coveted. During that period 
the Messias has walked the earth, clothed with 
divine power, and familiarly gone in and out of 
Jerusalem before all eyes, performing miracles, 
and doing mighty works which never man did. 
I have learned to love and honor that blessed 
Prophet as the Son of the Highest, and the An- 
ointed of the Lord; I have sat at his feet, and 
listened to his heavenly teachings, and the wis- 
dom of his sacred lips has made me wise. 

But I have not yet made known to you the 
particulars of the greatest miracle of power and 
love of all those wonders which he has done, viz., 
the raising up of Lazarus from the dead, and I 
will here recount them as they occurred. 

When Mary and Martha, finding Lazarus 
given over by the physicians as past possible re- 
covery from his grievous illness, had dispatched 
the message to Jesus, as I have already stated, 
they began to be more cheerful with new-born 
hope, saying: 

'']f our dear Rabbi, the holy Prophet, comes. 


THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


327 


he will heal him with a word, as he has done so 
many of the sick.'’ 

‘‘Yes; many whom he knew not, he has re- 
stored to health by a touch,” remarked Martha, 
“how much more, Lazarus, whom he loveth as a 
brother! O that the messenger may press for- 
ward with all haste!” 

“If Lazarus should die ere he come,” hesita- 
tingly remarked my gentle cousin, the betrothed 
of John the disciple, “he could bring him to life 
again, even as he did the son of the widow at 
Nain.” 

“Y^'es, without doubt, unless it were too late,” 
remarked Aiartha, shrinking at the thought that 
her brother should die; ‘‘but, if he be long dead 
it will be impossible.” 

“Nothing is impossible with Jesus,” answered 
Mary, her eyes brightening with trusting faith. 

Thus the hours passed between mingled hopes 
and fears; and ere Jesus came, the mantle of 
death was laid over the face of their dead brother. 
“Lazarus is dead, and Jesus is away!” was the 
bitter and touching cry made by the bereaved 
sisters, as they wept in each other’s arms. 

The next day the burial took place, as I have 
described already to you, dear father, in my last 
letter, and yet no messenger came from Jesus. 
The morning of the third day the messenger re- 
turned, and said that he had found the Prophet 
on the farther bank of the Jordan, where John 
had baptized, and that he abode in an humble 
cottage in the suburbs of Bethabara, with his dis- 
ciples, and was engaged in teaching the things of 


328 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

the kingdom of God, and unfolding the proph- 
ecies to many who resorted unto him. 

The bearer of the sad tidings from the two sis- 
ters deli veered his simple and touching message: 

''Lord, behold he whom thou lovest is sick!'' 

"And what said he? — how did his countenance 
appear?” asked Martha, of the man. 

"He betrayed no surprise, but said calmly to 
me, 'Son, I know it! This sickness shall not be 
unto death. It shall be for the glory of God; for 
hereby will my Father permit me to be glorified, 
that men may see and believe truly that I came 
out from God.' '' 

"What said he more?” asked Martha, sorrow- 
fully and doubting. 

"Nothing more, lady; and having given my 
message, I departed,” answered the man. 

"Alas! he knew not how ill his friend was,” 
said Mary, "or he would not have said it was not 
unto death, and would have hastened with you.” 

"Thy Lord should know all things, daugher,” 
said a priest who stood by. "This ignorance of 
the danger of Lazarus, and his assertion that he 
would not die, shows that he is an imposter. Is 
not Lazarus dead and buried?” 

At this, Martha's faith seemed for a moment 
shaken, but Mar}^ eloquently defended her broth- 
er's absent friend, and holy Prophet, saying, 
"That when Jesus should come and speak in per- 
son for himself, he would make his words plain, 
and show them to have been spoken with 
wisdom.” 

With what deep sorrow they mourned their 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 329 


brother; and their tears fell the faster in that they 
felt assured he would not have died had Jesus 
been there. Their faith and confidence in him 
underwent a sore trial as day after day passed, 
and nothing more was heard from him. 

‘Tde has forgotten us,’' answered Martha. 
'‘He should be near to console us in our deep 
affiiction, though he came not to heal our 
brother.” 

“Nay, sister, do no think hardly of the blessed 
friend of Lazarus,” said Mary, with soothing 
tones, as she caressed her elder sister. “I feel 
that if he had seen fit he could have raised up our 
brother, even speaking the word from Bethabara. 
It was not needful he should see him to heal him; 
for dost thou remember how he healed Lucius, 
the Centurion’s son, yet at the time he was a 
day’s journey distant from him. 

“And why, oh why, did he not save Lazarus!” 
exclaimed Martha, bitterly. 

“In that he did not, sweet sister,” answered 
Mary, gently, “it was for the best. Did he not 
say to the messenger, his sickness should be to 
the glory of his power.” 

“But not his death, Mary, not his death! He 
is dead four days already; and how can the grave 
give glory to the power of Jesus? Will he raise 
him up, since corruption has begun, nay, began 
ere we laid him in the cold sepulchre? Oh, 
speak not to me of the cruel prophet. He loved 
not Lazarus, or he had not the power to save 
him. Nay; leave me, Mary, to the bitterness of 
my grief.” 


330 THE PKINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


''Ah, dear Martha, how soon is thy faith in 
Jesus, when proven, become nought!’^ said 
Mary, bending upon her from her dark, earnest 
eyes, looks of sad reproach. "Shall one day 
overturn your years of holy friendship for him? 
Because he answered not our prayer to come to 
Lazarus, think you he loved him not, and is in- 
different to our anguish? He is wronged by 
your reproof, and injured by your want of confi- 
dence in his love and care for us.’’ 

"He can heal a proud and rich ruler’s son, but 
he heeds not the cry of the poor and lowly,” per- 
severingly answered Martha, expressing in her 
looks the intensity of her feelings against Jesus. 
"The death of Lazarus be upon his head!” 

"Ah, sister, God forgive thee, and let thy grief 
excuse thy words. Though he slay me, I will 
trust in him,” exclaimed Mary, laying her hand 
on her sister's shoulder, while holy firmness and 
a resolute light beamed in her shining and tear- 
ful eyes. 

While they were thus discoursing, one came 
running swiftly towards the house, and, breath- 
less with haste, cried to them and to the Jews 
sitting there, who had come to comfort them 
concerning their brother: 

"The Prophet! the Nazarene! He comes!” 

Almost at the sam.e moment. Melee, the Gib- 
eonite, entered and said: 

"Jesus, the Messias of God, is at hand! He 
already entereth the village with his disciples.” 

At this intelligence, the mourners who sat with 
Mary and Martha in the vine porch rose up to 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 331 


go and meet him; but Martha, shrieking with 
sudden joy, sprang up, and more quickly than 
they reached the street, and, running with great 
speed, came where J esus was. 

Mary, who had received the news without be- 
traying any other emotion than the secret and 
holy joy of a heart that had confidence all along 
in her Lord, instead of hastening to meet him, 
rending her hair with, grief, like her sister, pro- 
ceeded to prepare a room for the hospitable en- 
tertainment of the beloved Prophet, when he 
should come in, thus taking Martha’s place; and 
when she had arranged all, she sat down with me 
in the house, her heart filled with joy, and her 
face expressive of her calm and quiet happiness. 

‘'I knew he would come! I knew he would 
not leave or forsake us in our deep sorrow, 
Adina,” she said, two or three times; and, as the 
confused noise of advancing footsteps fell upon 
our ears, her heart beat quicker, and, with the 
glow that joy and expectation made to enrich 
her face, I thought she looked more beautiful 
than ever before. 

When Martha came near Jesus, whom she met 
just entering Bethany, walking with four of his 
disciples along the dusty road, and looking 
weary and travel-worn, she ran and threw her- 
self at his feet, crying: 

''Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother 
had not died!” 

Jesus, taking her hand, raised her up, and said 
with emotion, for he was deeply moved: 


332 THE PllINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

^Xazarus sleepeth, Martha. I am now come 
to awake him out of his sleep.’^ 

''Lord, if my brother slept only, he would not 
have been buried. He is dead, and hath been 
dead four days.’^ 

"I spoke of his death, Martha! Lazarus is 
dead ; but death to those whom my Father loveth 
is sleep. The good die not, only the wicked. 
Their death is eternal, where th^ worm dieth not. 
I say unto thee, Lazarus is not dead but sleepeth ; 
and he shall rise again!’’ 

'T know, O Rabboni, that he shall rise again 
in the resurrection at the last day.” 

Jesus then said unto her, lifting his celestial 
glances towards heaven: 

"T am the resurrection and the life. He that 
believeth in me, though he were dead, shall he 
live! and whosoever liveth and believeth in me 
shall never die! Believest thou this, daughter?” 

"Yea, Lord, I believe that thou art the Christ, 
the Son of God, wdiich should come into the 
w^orld. I know that wdiatsoever thou wilt ask 
of God, God wall give it thee, and that even now 
thou couldst bring Lazarus back again!” 

"Corruption and the worm have begun their 
w^ork,” said a proud and unbelieving Pharisee 
near, on hearing this ; "whatever may have been 
the state of the ruler’s daughter, and of the son 
of her of Nain, Lazarus, the scribe, at least, is 
dead!” 

To this speech Jesus made no reply, but turn- 
ing to Martha, said softly : 

"I am rejoiced that thy faith in me hath come 


THE PRINCE OF THE HO^fJSE OF DAVID. 


333 


back into thine heart, for thou hast doubted, oh 
daughter of little faith, in that I came not at thy 
call. It was needful that th}^ brother should die, 
that I might display the power of God in me by 
raising him up. This day my Father shall be 
glorified, and the world shall truly know that I 
come from Flim who is Life, and the giver of 
life. Go, thou, and tell thy sister that I am here, 
and would have her come and speak with me!’’ 

Martha, then, overjoyed, and wondering that 
Jesus should have known her thoughts, so as to 
reproach her for her little faith as he had done, 
hastened to her sister, and entering, cried: 

'T have seen the Lord! He calleth for thee, 
iMary. Come and see him as he sits by Isaiah’s 
fountain, near the market-place; for he hath said 
he will not enter our house until he crosses the 
threshold with Lazarus by his side!” 

Her words made my heart bound with an in- 
describable thrill! Lazarus to come again into 
the house alive, walking with Jesus! I buried 
my face m my hands, overcome with an idea so 
full of joy, terror, wonder, and supernatural awe. 
Mary lose quickly, and went out, scarcely sup- 
porting herself upon her failing limbs for tremb- 
ling joy, and a sweet, undefined hope of — she 
knew not what — immeasurable and unbearable 
happiness about to come upon her. Certain of 
her Jewish friends from Jerusalem at that mo- 
ment met her at the door, not knowing that 
Jesus had entered Bethany; and began to com- 
fort her, and to ask her if they also should go 


334 THE PKINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

with her to weep at the grave of Lazarus; for 
they said: 

“She goetli unto the grave to weep there!*’ 

'‘She goes to see Jesus, the friend of Lazarus, 
for he calleth her,” answered Martha, smiling 
with eagerness, and speaking with an animation 
that presented a singular contrast to her late 
deep grief. 

Mary hastened to where Jesus sat by the foun- 
tain, bathing his dusty and wounded feet, and 
discoursing to those about him upon the resur- 
rection of the dead. Upon seeing Mary, he ex- 
tended his hand, but she sank at his feet, and 
bathing them with her tears, wiped them with 
her gleaming black hair. 

"Lord,” she said, in her sister’s words, with 
great emotion, "if thou. Lord, hadst been here, 
my brother had not died.” 

Then bowing her head to the edge of the 
marble basin, she wept very heavily. The Jews, 
men and women, who stood about, being 
t ched with ^'•er sorrow, also wept, while glitter- 
ing tears coursed their way down the face of the 
beloved John, hi^ disciple, who stood near. 

Jesus sighed deeply, and groaned in spirit as 
beheld her grief, and their mourning with 
her. His sacred countenance was marred with 
the anguish of his soul. 

"Rise, let us go to the grave where he lieth!” 
he said to them. "Where have ye laid him?” 

"Come, dear Lord, and see,” answered Mary, 
taking him by the sleeve of the robe, and draw- 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAY ID, 335 


ing him towards the place of the tombs in the 
vale of Olivet. 

In the meanwhile, at home, Martha had been 
diligently, and with strange cheerfulness, getting 
in readiness the room of Lazarus. She swept 
and dusted it, and garnished it with fresh flowers, 
which she gathered in the little garden. 

‘This is the rose he set out and loved. This 
is the violet which blooms immortal. I will 
place it upon his pillow,’’ she said with joyous 
hilarity, softened by the most lovely look of 
peace; while hope shone in her eyes like twin 
morning stars ushering in a glorious day. She 
spoke scarcely above her breath, and moved on 
tip-toe. 

“For whom is this preparation, dearest Mar- 
tha? For Jesus?” I asked. 

“Oh, no! The Lord’s own room is ready. 
Mary has prepared that. This is Lazarus’s 
room, and I am decorating it for him!” 

“Dost thou truly believe that he is coming 
back from the dead?” I asked, between doubt 
and strange fear. 

“Believe! Oh, yes. I know that nothing is 
impossible with him ! I doubt no more. My faith 
trembles no longer. He will raise up my brother, 
and this day he shall sit down at our table with 
us again, and this night rest his head in peaceful 
slumber upon this pillow which I am strewing 
\vith his favorite flowers. Never had house two 
such guests as we shall have this day — the Mes- 
sias of God, and one come back alive from the 
dead!” 


336 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

At this moment we heard the noise of the 
multitude passing by, and it being told us that 
Jesus was going to the grave, Martha, embracing 
me with a heavenly smile, drew me gently after 
her, to follow the blessed Prophet to the tomb. 
All Bethany was in his footsteps. Wonder and 
eager expectation were on every face. There 
was no outcry ; no lawless uproar in the vast con- 
course, but rather a subdued under-current mur- 
mur of awe and curiosity. 

How shall I describe Jesus, as he then ap- 
peared! He wore upon one shoulder, from 
which it was almost dragged by the eager hand 
of Martha, a blue garment, woven without seam 
throughout, the affectionate work and gift of the 
two sisters. Plis face was pale and sad, yet a 
certain divine majesty seemed resting thereon, 
so that his calm, high forehead looked like a 
throne. Plis large, earnest eyes, richly brown in 
hue, and darkly shaded by sable lashes, were full 
of sorrow. His chiseled mouth was compressed, 
but the swelling of the nether lip betrayed the 
effort he made to suppress the outbursting of 
his heart’s deep grief. 

Slowly he moved onward, and entering the 
cemetery, he stood before the tomb of his be- 
loved friend. 

For a few moments he stood gazing upon the 
door of the cave in silence. There reigned an 
expectant hush among the vast throng. Mary 
knelt at his feet gazing up into his countenance 
with a sublime expression of hope and trust. 
Alartha drew softly near, and fell upon her knees 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


337 


by the side of her sister. Jesus looked tenderly 
upon them, and then resting his eyes upon the 
tomb, he wept. Large, glittering tears rolled 
down his cheeks, and glanced from his flowing 
beard to the ground. One of the precious drops 
struck upon the back of my hand, as I knelt by 
the side of the sisters. 

“Behold how he loved him!’’ whispered the 
Jews present. 

Others said: 

“Could not this man, which opened the eyes 
of the blind, have caused that even this man 
should not have died?” 

Jesus, uttering a deep sigh, now came nearer 
the grave. It was, as I have before said, a cave, 
and a stone lay upon it. With a slight move- 
ment of his right hand to those who stood by, 
he said in a tone that, though low, was heard by 
the whole people, so solemn was the surrounding 
stillness, 

“Take ye away the stone!” 

“Lord,” said Martha, “by this time he is offen- 
sive, for he hath been dead four days.” 

“Daughter,” said Jesus, looking on her, “said 
I not to thee a little while since, if thou wilt be- 
lieve that I can raise up thy brother, thou shalt 
see him alive again. Believe, and thou shalt 
behold the glory and power of God!” 

The men, then, with some difficulty took away 
the stone from the door of the sepulchre, and 
stood it upon one side. The dark vault yawned 
with gloomy horror, and so corrupt was the air 


338 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

that rushed out, all fell back from it, save Jesus 
and Mary, several steps. 

Jesus stood looking into the cave, where, as 
our eyes became accustomed to the darkness 
within, we could discern the corpse of Lazarus, 
covered with the . grave mantle, and his face 
bound with the napkin which was already dis- 
colored with the sepulchral damp of the grave. 

Raising his hands towards heaven, and lifting 
up his holy eyes, which were yet moist with 
tears, Jesus said in a voice of indescribable 
pathos and earnestness of appeal, and with a 
manner of the most awful reverence: 

'‘I'ather, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 
And I know that thou hearest me always; but 
because of the people which stand by do I offer 
unto thee this prayer, that they may believe that 
the power I have cometh from thee, and that 
they may believe thou hast sent me. And now, 
oh Holy P'ather, may I glorify thee on the earth 
with the power which thou hast given me!” 

He then turned towards the tomb, and stretch- 
ing forth his hand, he cried with a loud voice, 
that made every heart quake: 

''Lazarus, Come Forth!” 

My blood stood still in my heart. Scarcely 
daring to look, I looked and beheld what all eyes 
also saw, the corpse stand up within the vault, 
and turning round with its face towards us, came 
forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes, 
and his face bound about with a napkin. His 
countenance was like marble for whiteness, and 


THE PKIXCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 339 


his eyes, which were open, looked supernaturally 
briliiant. 

At beholding him, a simultaneous shriek burst 
from the bosoms of the people, and a backward 
rush of ail who were nighest the cave. 

Martha, uttering her brother’s name, fell for- 
w^ard upon her face, and lay insensible. 

“Loose him and let him go free!” said Jesus, 
calmly, to the petrified and amazed men wdio had 
taken away the stone. Mary was the first one 
who had the firmness to approach him, and re- 
move the napkin from the sides of his face, while 
others, taking courage by her example, hastened 
to unswathe his arms and feet. In a few" mo- 
ments he w'as free from his outer grave clothes, 
and the color of his cheeks came to him, his lips 
flushed brilliantly with red, his eyes looked natu- 
ral, and beamed with w^onder and love as he 
gazed about him. Seeing Jesus, he was about 
to cast himself at his feet in gratitude (for he 
seemed to know all that had happened), but the 
mighty Prophet drew him to his embrace and 
kissed him. Mary, at first shrinking from awe, 
now threw herself, blind with tears of joy, into 
his arms, and Martha was raised up by him to 
his manly breast, and his loved voice, breathed 
tenderly into her ear, recalled her to the con- 
sciousness of her happiness. 

But my pen refuses to find language to express 
the unspeakable emotions of joy and gratitude, 
words of love and praise, that filled all hearts. 
Lazarus, the new-born from the dead, blooming 
in the rich hues of complete health, walked 


340 THE PRINCE OE THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

homeward by the side of Jesus, while the sisters 
hung upon him with deep thankfulness over- 
flowing their happy hearts. Now the great 
Prophet, now Lazarus, and now Jesus again, re- 
ceived the plaudits of the vast throng of people. 
Hymns were chanted to Jehovah as we passed 
through the streets, and so many fell down to 
worship Jesus, that it was long before we crossed 
the threshold of the dwelling, which Jesus did 
indeed enter with Lazarus by his side. And 
Martha did see him sit at the same table, and that 
night saw his head rest in deep slumber upon the 
flower-strewn pillow which her faith and love had 
prepared for him. 

Thus, my dear father, have I given you a re- 
cital of the particulars of this mighty miracle, 
the report of which has filled all Jerusalem with 
amazement, and must lead the priests and the 
people to acknowledge Jesus to be the Messias 
of God, him of whom Moses and the Prophets 
did write. Do you doubt longer, my dear 
father? 

This letter will meet you at Gaza. With the 
hope of soon embracing you, I remain as ever, 

Your loving daughter. 


ADINA. 


LETTER XXVIII. 


My Dear Father: — Your letter from Gaza 
came safely to my hands this morning, by the 
courtesy of the Roman courier of the Procurator. 
I read it with deep grief and feelings of the sad- 
dest disappointment. Instead of a letter, I ex- 
pected to see you in person, and when I heard 
Melee call out that a horseman had alighted at 
the gate, I ran down into the court, crying, ''My 
father, my dearest father!’’ and when, instead of 
rushing into your embrace, I was met by the 
mailed and helmeted figure of an armed Roman, 

0 you may judge of the reaction upon my heart. 

1 read your letter with tears; but you have 
taught me to bear patiently what cannot be re- 
voked, and I have schooled my impatience till 
the God of our fathers shall bring you, in his own 
good time, to vour loving and longing daughter. 
I trust that the two Arabian merchants, from 
Eziongeber, wljom you are delaying to see, will 
not be lone joiirnevine to Gaza, and that on 


342 THE PRIXCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


their arrival you will speedily conclude the com- 
merce, which you write it is so important to your 
interests should be effected. In the meanwhile I 
will try and wait with serenity and peace the day 
of your coming, and continue to write to you as 
the only solace which can compensate for not be- 
holding and speaking with you. Like all my 
letters, dearest father, the theme of this will be 
Jesus, w^hom I unspeakably rejoice to hear you 
are beginning to regard with more favorable 
eyes, saying in your last letter, these words, 
which made my heart bound with joy: 

“Were I to resist the testimony of the miracles 
which this wonderful Nazarine Prophet hath evi- 
dently done, especially that of raising Lazarus, 
the scribe, from the dead, 1 fear I should be fight- 
ing against God; for who can restore life and 
soul to the dead but Jehovah alone! The fame 
of the raising of Lazarus, as well as many of the 
other miracles which he has done, has reached 
me by other channels than your letters, and the 
accounts fully corroborate all you have so en- 
thusiastically written. Nay, there is now here 
in Gaza, on his return from Damascus, to Alex- 
andria, my friend, Abraham Gehazi, the silk mer- 
chant, who was passing through Bethany at the 
moment, and, halting with his party, witnessed 
the miracle. He spoke with Lazarus, and con- 
fesses to me that Jesus is evidently a mighty 
Prophet, sent from God! This I am ready to be- 
lieve, also, my daughter ; and when I behold him 
I am ready to do him the homage I would offer 
to Isaiah or Daniel, were they ngw alive. That 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 343 


he is the Christ, I cannot yet believe; for Christ 
is to be a prince and king, and to sit on the 
throne of David, and give laws to the nations; 
before whom every crowned head shall fall pros- 
trate, every knee bow in reverence, and at whose 
feet the sceptres of the earth shall be laid in sub- 
mission! A humble carpenter's son, prophet of 
God though he may be, cannot realize the idea 
of the person of the Messias! Turn to Esaias, 
and behold how his language glitters with the 
splendor of the prophesies he enunciates of the 
power, glory, and dominion on earth, of the Son 
of David! How can these prophetic words ap- 
ply to the prophet whom you love to honor? 
That the hand of the Lord is upon him, and that* 
mighty works show forth themselves in him, 
doubtless cannot be disputed; but that he is the 
Shiloh of Jacob, the kingly Lion of the tribe of 
Judah, I cannot, for a moment, entertain the 
idea; for if I accept him as Messias, neither have 
I, nor my countrymen at large in Israel, nor the 
scribes, nor the fathers in Jerusalem, read the 
Prophets aright, but rather with eyes blind- 
folded; for to Jesus they do not, cannot aim, else 
we have altogether misunderstood what is writ- 
ten in Moses and in the Prophets, and in the 
Psalms, concerning the Christ." 

Such, my dear father, is a part of your letter, 
which I quote, in order to reply to it, if I may do 
so, without presumption. 

You confess, dearest father, that you are at 
length convinced that Jesus is a Prophet, and 
that God is with him, for he could not do such 


3i-i: THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


great miracles, except the power of God was 
upon him. Now, if God co-operates with Jesus; 
if God, so to speak, lends him his power, endows 
him with his own attributes, so that, like God, he 
heals, stills tempests, restores lost limbs, raises 
the dead from their graves alive again, it is be- 
cause God has chosen him from among men, in 
order to clothe him with his mighty and divine 
attributes. Now that he chose him, and invested 
him therewith, it is evident that he did so because 
he delights in him; because he loves him, and 
would greatly honor him. To be the chosen re- 
cipient, by the Lord God Jehovah, of such mighty 
powers, Jesus must be good, must be holy, pious, 
and full of those holy virtues in which the Al- 
mighty delights; in a word, God must approve of 
his character and be content with whatsoever is 
done by him. 

Now Jesus, thus favored by God, whose power 
to work miracles you yourself, my dear father, 
have confessed must be conferred by Jehovah 
alone, distinctly and everywhere asserts that he 
is Messias, the Son of God, the Shiloh of Israel, 
of whom Moses and the Prophets so eloquently 
wrote. Besides claiming for himself this high 
character, he was heard, both by my Uncle Amos 
and myself, in the synagogue at Bethany, two 
days after he raised Lazarus from the dead, to 
read from Esaias the words following, and apply 
them to himself, which he had done also before 
at Nazareth: 

'The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he 
hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 345 


poor: hath sent me to heal the broken- 

hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, 
and recovery of sight to the blind: to set at 
liberty them that are bruised: to preach the ac- 
ceptable year of the Lord/’ 

When he had read this prophecy, which all our 
people, dear father, do acknowledge to refer to 
Messias, when he cometh, he closed the book, 
and gave it again to the officiating scribe, and 
sat down. The synagogue w^as thronged, so 
that people trod upon one another; for the fame 
of his miracles had brought people to hear and 
see him, not only from Jerusalem, but from all 
Judea, and Decapolis, and be3’'ond Jordan; nay, 
his fame, it seemeth, is spread abroad in all the 
world. All eyes are now intent, and all ears are 
ready to hear what he should speak. He then 
said unto them, '‘This day is this Scripture ful- 
filled in your ears. Ye ask me, oh scribes and 
men of Israel, to tell you plainly who I am, 
whether I am the Christ or no. What saith the 
Prophet of the Messias when he shall come? Ye 
have just heard his words. If such works as he 
prophesieth do show forth themselves in me, ye 
know who I am.” 

Here a voice cried out in the assembly: 

“Tell us plainly, art thou Christ, the Son of the 
Highest?” 

At this direct inquiry there was intense in- 
terest shown to hear the reply. 

Jesus was about to answer, when a man, who 
stood near the reading desk, in whom was an un- 


346 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


clean spirit, cried out, with a shrieking voice of 
mingled terror and awe: 

^'Let me alone! Leave me as I am, thou Jesus 
of Nazareth! Art thou come hither to destroy 
me ! I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of 
Godr 

Upon this Jesus turned to the multitude, and 
said: '‘The very devils bear witness to me, who I 
am! and if these should hold their peace, these 
walls would find voices, and speak.’’ Then Jesus 
rebuked the devil which possessed the man (who 
was Jaius, a Roman proselyte of the gate, who 
had long spread terror in the suburbs, by his ex- 
ceeding madness and ferocity), and said to the 
devil, in a voice of a master commanding a bond 
slave: 

“Hold thy peace, Satan! The Son of Man 
needeth not, though thou givest it, thy testi- 
mony. Hold thy peace, and come out of the 
man!” 

At this word the man uttered a fearful cry of 
despair and rage, and foaming at the mouth, cast 
himself, or rather was thrown down by the devil 
within him, to the ground; where, after a mo- 
ment’s terrific struggle, with contortions of 
bodily anguish, he lay senseless as if dead. 
Jesus took him by the hand, and he stood up, 
and looking in the face of the Prophet with earn- 
estness and wonder, he burst into tears of grati- 
tude, exclaiming: 

“I am escaped as a bird out of the snare of the 
fowler; the snare is broken, and I am escaped. 
God hath delivered me out of the hand of my 


TilE riilNCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


347 


enemy!” He then sat at the feet of Jesus calm^ 
grateful, happy, and in his right mind, while all 
gazed on him with wonder; while from the great 
mass of the people rose a great shout (for they 
were all amazed), saying: 

'‘This is none other than the Christ, the son of 
David! This is the king of Israel!” While the 
loud shouts of “Hosanna! hosanna! hosanna!” 
cheered by a thousand voices, “Hosanna to our 
king!” shook like a passing storm the syna- 
gogue. 

At this, when the noise had a little subsided, 
some of the Scribes and Pharisees said, reprov- 
ing him for not rebuking these cries. 

“Who is this that suffereth himself to be hailed 
as king! This is treason to the emperor!” 

At this moment, yEmilius, the Roman knight, 
appeared at the door of the synagogue, attended 
by half a dozen soldiers, he happening to be pass- 
ing at the moment on some duty, and stopped to 
listen. No sooner did the eyes of these wicked 
Jews catch the gleam of his helmxt, and behold 
his tall plume rising above the head of his people, 
than they cried out, with eager loyalty, to their 
conquerors, at the same time looking at ^milius, 
to get his approbation: 

“We have no king but Caesar! Down with 
the traitor! He who maketh himself king rebels 
against our most mighty emperor. Away with 
him! Arrest him, most noble Roman! Drag 
him before the Procurator Pilate!” 

TEmilius — who well understands these envious 
Jews, and who is wise in the knowledge of what 


3-i8 THE PRINCE OE THE HOUSE OF DAYH). 

Jesus teaches, and who loves him as a brother, 
and reveres him as a father — ^milius remained 
quiet, giving no signs that he would do the will 
of these wicked enemies of the Prophet. Jesus 
then said, in a loud, clear voice, — 

“My kingdom is not of this world! I seek not 
an earthly throne or earthly sceptre. My king- 
dom is from above. Ye say truly, I am king,’' 
he added, with indescribable majesty of manner; 
“and hereafter ye shall behold me sitting upon 
the throne of heaven, high and lifted up, with the 
earth my foot-stool, and before me every knee 
shall bow, of things in heaven, of things on earth, 
and things under the earth!” 

When he had thus far spoken, he could not 
proceed farther, on account of the sudden and 
immense uproar which his words produced. 
Some shouted “hosannas;” others saicl he blas- 
phemed; one cried for the Roman guard, another 
for the priests, to eject him from the tribune; 
many rushed towards him, to cast themselves at 
his feet, while many, putting their fingers in their 
ears, hurried forth from the synagogue, crying, — 

“His blasphemies will cause the house to fall 
upon us, and crush us!” 

Never was such an uproar heard. In the 
midst of it Jesus conveyed himself away, none 
knew where; and when I returned to the house 
of Martha, I heard his low, earnest, touching 
voice in prayer to God, in his little chamber. 
He had sought its sacred quiet, to be alone with 
his Father in Pleaven! At times I could hear 
him praying and supplicating, in tones of the 


THE PKINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 349 


most heart-breaking pathos; at others, the silence 
of his room was oriiy broken, at intervals, by 
sighs and pitiful groans, that seemed to come 
from a breaking and crushed heart! Oh, what 
hand may remove the veil, and reveal what 
passed there in that holy retirement, between the 
Prophet and his God! It was late in the day 
when he came forth, Martha having softly tapped 
at his door, to say that the evening meal was 
prepared, and alone waited for him. When he 
appeared, his face was colorless and bore traces 
of weeping, and though he smiled kindly upon us 
all, as he was wont to do, there was a deep-seated 
sorrow upon his countenance, that brought tears 
to my eyes! ^milius joined us at the table, and 
with dear Lazarus and with Uncle Amos, we 
passed a sacred hour; for the Prophet ate not, 
but talked to us much and sweetly of the love of 
God; and as all listened, the viands were for- 
gotten, notwithstanding Martha more than once 
ventured to remind her blessed guest that such 
and such a thing w^as before him, and that she 
had prepared it for him with her own hands. 
But, like him, we all feasted upon the heavenly 
food, the bread of life, which fell, like manna, 
from his consecrated lips. 

Such, then, my dear father, is the testimony, 
as you have seen, in what I have above related, 
Avhich Jesus publicly bears to himself, that he is 
the very Christ who should come into the world. 
There can be no further doubt of thefact nowthat 
he has so plainly stated it, pointing to the proph- 


350 THE PKINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


ecies, which he is daily fulfilling by mighty 
works, in proof of the truth of his assertion. 

Now to what irresistible conclusion, to what 
inevitable consequence, do we arrive? Is it not 
that He is the Christ? This result cannot be 
avoided. Either Jesus is Messias, as he asserts, 
and his miracles prove, or he is not. Now if he 
is not, then he is an imposter and a falsifier, as 
well as a fearful blasphemer of Jehovah! If he is 
these three, we then have the Almighty confer- 
ring upon an imposter his own Almghty attri- 
butes, giving him power to heal, to cast out 
devils, to control the elements, to raise the dead! 
that is, bearing testimony to the truth of one 
whom He never sent, empowered, nor author- 
ized to be his Christ, and in whom there is no 
truth. 

Moreover, the miracles of Jesus, you admit, 
prove him to have come from God, while you 
deny his claim to be Messias. Now, if Jesus 
truly came from God, as, looking at his miracu- 
lous power, you readily admit, he cannot be a 
sinner: he, therefore, cannot assert of himself 
\vhat is not true. Yet he asserts that he is the 
Christ. He, then, either did come from God, or 
he is a deceiver, and there is no truth in him! 
But you will not consent to charge such char- 
acter upon a man who heals with a word, who 
casts out demons, who raises the dead to life, and 
who proclaims such pure precepts, and the neces- 
sity of holiness in men, in order to enjoy the 
favor of God! We, therefore, are forced to the 
irresistible conclusion, that either the miracu- 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAYID 


351 


lous power, with which Jesus is invested, did 
come from God, and that he is, as he says, the 
true and vety Christ of the prophets and pa- 
triarchs, or that God has endowed a blasphemer 
of his name, an imposter, with his own powers, 
and indorses the imposture by continuing these 
powers to him in every miracle that he performs. 
Jesus is, therefore, the Christ. Do not, by any 
artful subterfuge, dearest father, attempt to avoid 
this conclusion! Jesus is the Christ, or we make 
both God and the Prophet liars and co-partners 
in an enormous imposture! Jesus is Christ, and 
let God be true, though all men be found liars. 

Pardon me, dearest father, if I have been too 
warm and urgent in my efforts to bring you to 
accept Jesus as the Christ. Convinced, as I am, 
that he is Messias, I cannot but ardently desire 
that you, also, should come to the knowledge of 
this truth. What he is yet to be, how he is yet 
to develop his majesty and power, is unknown 
to us all. Some do think that he will enter Jeru- 
salem, ere long, attended by tens of thousands of 
his followers, and that before him Pilate will 
peaceably vacate his Procuratoral chair, and re- 
tire, not only from the Holy City, but from 
Judea, with his legions; and that Jesus will as- 
cend the throne of David; the glory of the age 
of Solomon be revived under his rule; and with 
the kingdom of Judah for the centre of his power, 
he will extend the sceptre of his dominion from 
sea to sea, and from the river of Egypt and of 
the East, to the ends of the earth, till all nations 
shall fall down before him, emperors and kings 


352 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID, 

sit at his feet, and every tongue and language 
and speech in the whole world acknowledge him 
to be the King of Israel, King of kings and Lord 
of Lords; while under the splendor of his reign 
Jerusalem and Judah will be more powerful than 
all the cities and kingdoms that have ever been 
on the earth, and to the dominion and glory of 
our people there will be no end. 

Such, dear father, is the future of Jesus, as 
looked for by all his disciples, save one, and this 
is John, the betrothed of my cousin Mary. He 
is more closely intimate with Jesus than any 
other man; and is so beloved by him that he 
makes known to him many things which he with- 
holds from the rest. John, on hearing our views 
of the coming glory of the Prophet, looks sadly, 
and says: 

‘'Not now — not here — not in this world! The 
glory of Jesus you will behold, but first, we must 
pass through the valley of darkness, the gate of 
the tomb. His kingdom is not on the earth, but 
in the heavens. Here, I fear, he will pass 
through suffering and sorrow, and, perhaps, a 
painful death, for he has told me that he came to 
suffer and die, and that he can only win, bleeding 
from every vein, the kingdom, over which he is 
hereafter to reign in endless dominion. Pre- 
pare your hearts, dear friends,’' he would say, “to 
be rent, and your eyes for tears, rather than fill 
your imaginations with pictures of glory, splen- 
dor and power. He has distinctly said to me, T 
must first suffer many things at the hands of 
men, before I enter upon my reign of glory. 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 353 


The Jews will seek me to kill me, and I shall be 
taken from among you; but let not sorrow fill 
your hearts. Death can have no power over me 
save such as I permit it to hold. I lay down my 
life, and I take it again. Through much tribula- 
tion and sorrow must the Son of God win the 
sceptre of this earth from him who hath the 
power over the nations, even from Satan, the 
prince of this world. I shall conquer, but I must 
first fall. Yet fear not! I shall make death the 
gateway to Paradise for you alii’ 

“Such,’’ says John, ‘‘are the mysterious and 
sorrowful words which he has often spoken to 
me. What they mean, or how to understand 
them, I know not; for I cannot comprehend how 
lie who can raise the dead can die, or how he who 
can calm a tempest can suffer himself to be taken 
and slain by men, the tempest of whose wrath 
he could as easily pacify!” 

Thus, dear father, do we discourse together 
about this wonderful Prophet, whose future life 
is all a mystery, save that, from the prophecies, 
we know it is to be inconceivably glorious, but 
from his own lips, first to be inconceivably sor- 
rowful. But, whether on a throne, giving laws 
to the world, or in the dust, borne down by the 
deepest woe, I shall still love, honor, reverence 
Him, and trust in Him, as my Saviour, my 
Prince, and the Holy One of God! 

Your devoted and loving 


ADINA. 


LETTER XXIX. 


My Dearest Father: — With what emotions of 
grief and amazement I commence this letter, you 
can form no just conception. Jesus, the Pro- 
phet of God, is a prisoner to the Roman power! 
He is accused of making himself a king, and of 
a conspiracy to re-establish the throne of David! 
And who, think you, have accused him of this 
noble effort, but the Jews, our own, his own peo- 
ple! men who should glory in seeing the do- 
minion of the Caesars at an end ; men who should 
blush longer to have Mount Zion commanded 
by a Roman citadel. These base, degraded, and 
wicked scribes and priests, whom I am ashamed 
to call my countrymen, have accused the 
divinely-gifted Jesus, before Pilate, of rebellion 
and treason! And at this moment, while I write, 
he is in the ward-room of the Procurator’s pal- 
ace, held a close prisoner. 

But I fear not the issue! He cannot be holden 
of his foes, save by his own free will. He can. 


THE PKINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID 


355 


with a word, turn his chains into bands of sand, 
and by a glance render his guards dead men! 
He will, therefore, escape their bonds! They 
can have no power over him. But will not the 
Lord God punish our nation for this sin and en- 
mity against His Christ? You will ask, my 
father, why, if he possesses such mighty power, 
hath he suffered himself to be taken prisoner? 
This question I cannot answer. It troubles me. 
I wonder, and am transfixed with amazement. 
Everyone around me asks the same question. 
Our house is thronged with, his friends, who, 
midnight as it is, have come hither to hear if the 
rumor is true. Five of his disciples are with 
Uncle Amos in the court, giving an account of 
the manner of his arrest, which I will relate to 
you, although it increases the mystery. 

It seems that to-day, after eating the Passover 
with his twelve chosen friends, he went forth 
with them towards Olivet, and there seating him- 
self beneath the shade of a tree, he talked with 
them very sadly, saying that his hour was come, 
that he had ended his work, and that he was 
about to be delivered into the hands of sinful 
men. 

John, upon being questioned by cousin Mary 
and myself, thus told us: — It was evening, and 
the south side of Olivet lay in deep shadow. We 
were all sorrowful. We felt each one of us, as if 
some grievous evil was pending over us. The 
tones of our beloved Master’s voice moved us to 
tears, as much as his words, which latter were 
full of mystery. We were all present, excepting 


356 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


Iscariot, who had remained in the city to dis- 
charge the costs, he being our purse-bearer, of 
the Passover Supper, and pay for the hire of the 
room. At that supper Jesus had said very 
plainly, that one of our number would betray 
him into the hands of the priests; who, since his 
triumphant entry into the Holy City, preceded 
and followed by the multitude, shouting hosan- 
nas, and proclaiming him Messias, had diligently 
sought his life. At hearing our Lord say these 
strange words in accents of touching reproach, 
we were all deeply moved ; and Peter and the rest 
at once questioned him, individually, if it were 
they. I was resting at the moment, with my 
cheek on the shoulder of Jesus, and said, softly: 
“Lord, who is it that betray eth thee? I will 
forthwith lay hands upon him, and prevent his 
doing thee harm!'' Jesus shook his head, and 
smiling gently, said : 

“My beloved brother, thou knowest not what 
thou wouldst do. The Son of Man must needs 
be betrayed by his own friends, but woe unto 
him who betrayeth me. See thou who dippeth 
bread with me into the dish!” 

1 looked, and saw Judas reach forward, and 
dip into the dish at the same instant in which 
Jesus dipped; but in his eagerness, or from con- 
scious guilt, his hand trembled, he spilled the salt 
on the board, and the sop fell from his grasp into 
the bowl; upon which Jesus gave him the piece 
he held, saying to him, with a remarkable expres- 
sion in his clear, piercing eyes: “Judas, what 
thou doest do quickly!” 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 357 


We were surprised at the tone and manner in 
which this was spoken, but supposed the com- 
mand had reference to some of Judas’s duties, 
little suspecting what fearful thing he was to do 1 
Instantly Judas rose from the table, and without 
a word, or casting a look at any of us, went out. 
1 For a few moments, after his footsteps had 
ceased to be heard, there prevailed a heavy 
silence in the chamber; for a strange fear had 
fallen upon us ; why we could not tell ; and look- 
ing into one anothers faces, and then into our 
dear Master’s, we seemed to await some dread 
event. His face was placid, and full of affection, 
as he looked upon us. The momentary cloud, 
which shaded the noble profile when he spoke to 
Judas, had passed off, and there was the serenity 
of a cloudless sky in his face. 

“My children,” he said, “I am to be with you 
but a little while longer. The hour of my de- 
parture is at hand. Remember my last words, — 
Love one another! In this shall all men know 
that ye are my disciples.” 

“Lord,” cried Peter, “we will go with thee! 
Thou shalt not leave us! nor go without us!” 

“The priests seek to kill thee, and thy foot- 
steps are watched!” exclaimed Andrew, earn- 
estly. 

“Yes, we will not suffer thee, dear Rabbi, to go 
abroad alone,” said James, wdth enthusiasm; 
“our hearts and hands will defend thee!” 

“Whither wilt thou depart. Lord?” I asked, 
with emotion. “Thou wdlt not trust thyself to 
the Jews?” 


858 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

Thus we all, eagerly and tearfully, gathered 
around him, alarmed and grieved at the w^ords 
he had said. He regarded us lovingly, and said: 

"‘Little children, I must leave you. Whither I 
go you cannot come!’' 

“Though thou w^entest to the uttermost parts 
of the sea, I will follow thee, my Master and. 
Lord!” exclaimed Peter. “Whither goest thou, 
that we may not follow? I will lay down my life 
for thee, and so will all these!” 

With one voice we asserted our devotion to 
our beloved Master, and secretly, I asked him 
whither he intended to go, and why he forbade 
us to go with him? 

“As Abraham bound Isaac his son, and laid 
him upon the w^ood, so shall my Father cause me 
to be bound and laid upon the wood; and shall 
slay me, a sacrifice for the sins of his people!” 

“Not so! not so! Lord,” cried Peter. “I will 
die for thee, ere a hair of thy head shall fall.” 
And the warm-hearted disciple drew his sword, 
and placed himself by the side of Jesus, as if to 
defend him. 

“Wilt thou die for me, Peter?” said Jesus, gaz- 
ing on him wdth a sad, sweet look: “Verily, 
verily, Peter, thou little knowest thyself. The 
cock shall not crow twice, heralding the coming 
morning, ere thou shalt thrice deny that thou 
knowest me!” 

“Deny thee. Lord !” repeated Peter, with 
amazed grief and horror in his looks. 

“Yes, Peter,” answered Jesus, firmly, but 
kindly; “deny that you ever knew me; for the 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 359 


time draweth near when there will be safety only 
in confessing ignorance of Jesus the Nazarene. 
And all of you/' he added, while his voice grew 
tremulous, and tears glistened in his eyes, ''all of 
you shall be offended because of me, this night; 
ye shall be ashamed to confess that you are my 
disciples, and ye will think me a deceiver, and 
will be displeased at me. Yea, every one of you 
shall desert me; for thus it is written: ‘The Shep- 
herd shall be smitten, and the sheep shall be 
scattered!' " 

At hearing these words, we knew not what to 
answer; but I kissed my dear Lord’s hand, and 
said, that if danger were hanging over him, as it 
seemed, 1 would share it with him! 

When he saw that our hearts were troubled, 
and that we were sad, and that the faithful Philip 
sobbed aloud, at being supposed capable of aban- 
doning his Master, he added, "Let not your 
hearts be troubled; I go to prepare a place for 
you in my Father's house!" 

"Thy father. Lord, liveth at Nazareth, and 
hath but two small apartments in his humble 
house," said Thomas; "how sayest thou that we 
are all to lodge there!" 

"Thomas, thou canst understand only what 
thine eyes see. I speak of my Father who is in 
Heaven. In His house are many mansions." 

Jesus then began plainly to tell us that he was 
to die, and that by his death we should be ad- 
mitted into a heavenly Paradise, and live forever. 
We could not understand all he said, but we 
knew that he was soon to be taken from us ; and 


3C0 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

sorrow filled all our hearts. After discoursing 
with us in the most touching words, he at length 
said: 

“Come, let us go over to Cedron, to the gar- 
den we so much loved to walk in.’' 

We went out with him, inclosing him as a 
guard, to conceal his person from the Jewish 
spies, as well as to defend him. Peter and 
James went before with drawn swords. In this 
way we passed through the gloomy streets, and 
forth from the gate, which Pilate suffered to be 
open day and night, on account of the crowds at 
the Passover, coming in and going out. The 
moon shining brightly, and by its light glancing 
on the face of Jesus, by whom I walked, I saw 
that it was sadder than its wont, while he spoke 
but little. 

We at length crossed the Cedron, and entered 
the dark groves of Olivet. Familiar with all the 
paths, we advanced to a central group of the 
venerable Olivet trees, beneath which Abraham 
used to sit, and there Jesus, turning to us, said, 
in a voice of the deepest woe: 

“Friends, the hour of my time of trial is come! 
My work is ended. I would be alone! Remain 
you here, and watch, for we shall be sought for. 
Come with me, Peter, and you, also, James. I 
am going to pray yonder.’’ 

“Not take me, also, dear Lord?” I said, sor- 
rowfully. 

“Yes, thou art always with me, beloved,” he 
answered ; “I will not leave thee now.” 

So leaving the eight friends to keep watch 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID, 


361 


against the intrusion of his enemies, who were 
known to be everywhere seeking him, he walked 
away to the most secluded recesses of the garden. 
He stopped at the place, near the rock, where 
Adam is said to have hidden from Jehovah; and, 
saying ^o us, in a sorrowful tone: “Tarry ye here, 
while I go apart, and pray to my Father,” he 
went from us about a stone’s cast, and kneeled 
down, where a thick olive branch, hanging low 
to the ground, concealed him from our view. I 
was so solicitous lest he should leave us, and we 
should see him no more, that I soon softly ad- 
vanced near to the spot, and beheld him pros- 
trate on the ground, while deep groans broke 
from his heart. I heard his voice murmuring, 
but could not distinguish the words, broken by 
grief; only the tones were those of strange hor- 
ror and dread. 

As he prayed thus, in great agony, I suddenly 
beheld a swift light pass by me, as if from the 
skies, and an angel stood by the side of Jesus, 
bending over him, and raising him up from the 
ground. A soft bright glory shone around the 
spot, so that Peter, seeing it, advanced towards 
me, supposing some one had entered the garden, 
bearing a torch. I beckoned to Peter to be 
motionless, and he gazed with me in speechless 
astonishment and admiration upon the form of 
the angel, from whose glorious face was emitted 
the radiance which illumined the place where 
Jesus was. As the angel raised Jesus from the 
ground, we saw that his countenance was con- 
vulsed with anguish; and upon his brow stood 


362 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


great shining drops of sweat, mingled with 
blood, which oozed from his pallid temples, and 
rolling down his marble cheeks, dropped to the 
ground. Never had we beheld a human visage 
so marred by sorrow, so deeply graven with the 
lines of agony. 

The angel seemed to utter soothing words, and 
pointed, with his shining hand, towards heaven, 
as if to encourage him with hope, and give him 
strength. The face of Jesus grew more serene; 
he raised his eyes with a divine expression of 
holy submission, and said, in a strong voice: 

“Thy will, not mine, O God, be done!’’ 

The angel then seemed to embrace and kiss 
him, and rose and disappeared, like a star return- 
ing into the blue depths of heaven; while Peter 
and I stood by wondering, and full of awe, at 
what we saw. 

“How looked the angel?” I asked of my cousin 
John, interrupting him in his recital. 

“As a young and noble youth, with a coun- 
tenance so dazzling I could not look upon him 
steadily. He seemed to be clothed in flowing 
raiment, silvery white; and a fragrance, more 
delicate and grateful than the subtlest attar of 
roses of India, was diffused by his presence 
throughout the garden, while the sound of his 
voice seemed to fill all the air with strange musi- 
cal vibrations, unlike anything heard on earth.” 

“Had the angel wings?” asked my cousin 
Mary. 

“Nay, I could not well discern,” answered 
John. “His robes seemed to shape themselves 


THK IMJTXCK OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 363 


into wings, as he rose from the earth; and when 
he stood they flowed with living grace about his 
god-like form. After the departure of the angel, 
Jesus seemed calmer, and as we did not wish 
longer to intrude upon his sacred privacy, we 
softly returned to where James lay asleep. We 
remained for some time conversing together 
upon the wonderful vision we had seen, which 
confirmed us in the certainty that Jesus came 
from God, and was in truth the Messias, that 
should come; but at length, wearied with our 
day’s excitements, we must have fallen asleep, for 
we were suddenly startled by the voice of our 
dear Master, saying: 

‘‘Why sleep ye, children? But the hour is 
past for watching. Ye may sleep on now, for 
though your flesh is weary, your spirit is willing. 
I need your aid no longer!” 

But we refused to sleep longer. We then ad- 
vanced to where the other disciples were, and 
found them also asleep. 

'‘Arise, let us be going!” cried Jesus, in a tone 
that roused them to their feet; “they are at hand 
who seek me!” 

While he was speaking, we saw many lights 
gleaming through the trees, along King David’s 
walk, and the tramp of feet fell on our ears. W e 
soon saw a large party advancing into the midst 
of the garden, who walked rapidly, and spoke 
only in undertones. We at once took the alarm, 
and said to Jesus: 

“Fly, dear Master! Let us ascend the hill. 


364 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


and escape by the way to Bethany; for these are 
enemies.'’ 

“Nay,” answered our dear Master; “I must 
submit to my Father’s will. It must needs be 
that I deliver myself into the hands of these men; 
how else shall the Scriptures be fulfilled ! Seek 
safety in flight for yourselves; but I must go 
whither they will lead me.” 

“Not so, Lord,” answered Peter. “There is 
time for thee to escape; or if not, we will stand by 
thee, and defend thee!” 

So said all the disciples. Jesus shook his 
head, and said, with a sad smile, “Ye know not 
now what ye say, or would do. My hour is 
come!” 

While he yet spake, the multitude drew nearer, 
and those who had the lead, raising their torches 
high above their heads, discovered us, with Jesus 
in the midst. To my surprise I beheld judas 
acting as their guide, for he alone knew where 
his Master was to be found at that hour. Upon 
discovering Jesus, this wicked man ran forward, 
with expressions of attachment in his face, and 
kissed Jesus on the cheek, saying: 

“Hail, Master! I am glad I have found thee!” 

“Judas,” said Jesus, “betrayest thou the Son of 
Man with a kiss!” 

When Judas heard this, he turned to the multi- 
tude, at the head of which I recognized some of 
the chief priests, and most learned scribes of the 
Temple, and cried aloud: 

“This is he! seize him, and hold him fast!” 

Thereupon the crowd, to the number of ten- 



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THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 365 


score men, among whom were the vilest sort of 
people, rushed forward to lay hands upon Jesus: 
the moon and torches shedding almost the bright 
light of day upon the whole group. 

At seeing them advance so furiously, with 
spears, and clubs, and swords, Peter and James 
placed themselves before Jesus, to defend him, 
while I, being unarmed, cast myself across his 
breast, to shield his heart with my body. The 
more bold men in the crowd coming too near, 
F^eter smote one of them with his sword, as he 
was reaching out his arm to grasp Jesus by the 
shoulder, and clave off his ear. At seeing this 
the crowd uttered a fierce shout, and were press- 
ing upon us, when Jesus raised the palm of his 
hand, and said, quietly: 

‘'Whom seek ye?’’ 

Instantly the whole mass rolled backward, like 
a receding billow rebounding from the face of an 
immovable rock, and every man fell with his 
forehead to the ground, where they lay for a min- 
ute stunned; and we twelve stood alone, save 
Judas, who had not been struck down, and now 
remained gazing with amazement and terror 
upon the prostrate enemies of Jesus. 

"Lord!” cried Peter, astonished, "if thou canst 
thus repel thy foes, thou needest not fear them 
more. Shall I smite Judas also?” 

"Nay — put up thy sword, Peter! Let him re- 
main to witness my power, that he may see that 
he nor his have any power over me, save what I 
give them.” 

While he was thus speaking, the men rose to 
their feet, and instead of flying, they seemed to 


oG6 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

be infuriated at their discomfiture; and as the 
chief priests cried out that it was by sorcery they 
had been stricken down, they rushed madly for- 
ward, and laid their hands upon Jesus, and upon 
us all. Ill vain I contended against numbers to 
rescue Jesus! in vain the sword of the valiant 
Peter flashed in the torchlight, and fell upon the 
heads of the captors; overpowered by numbers, 
we were defeated, and driven from the field of 
contest, leaving Jesus in the hands of his ene- 
mies I 

When John had gone thus far in his relation, 
dear father, our tears and his were mingled. We 
wondered that Jesus, who could, as he had 
shown, destroy his enemies with a wave of his 
hand, should suffer them to make him their 
prisoner; for in their hands he knew he must die! 
This amazes and bewilders us. At one moment 
we are tempted to lose our confidence in him, 
and believe, as many now begin to say, that we 
have been following a deceiver, and in the next 
to trust fully in him, and that he will yet over- 
come his enemies, and be restored to us. Every 
step we hear at the door makes our blood bound, 
for we think it may be our beloved Lord escaped 
from the hands of his captors. We must wait 
the issue with hope and faith! To-morrow will, 
perhaps, reveal all. The mystery that envelops 
this great Prophet is inscrutable. The seeming 
contradictions that make up his character, be- 
wilder us. But we try and comfort ourselves 
with the word of his promise: 

''Ye know not now; but ye shall know by and 
by, and shall believe truly, that I came out from 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 367 


God! What seems to you mysterious, shall be 
made clear as light. Wait, and have faith, and 
all shall be made known which now you under- 
stand not. Let no trials and degradations ye see 
me pass through cause your faith to fail. I am 
come into this world to conquer; but it is expe- 
dient first that I humble myself; but if I stoop, it 
is to raise up the world with me, when I rise 
again!” 

Ah, it is stooping, indeed, for this Prince of the 
Prophets to suffer himself to be led away bound 
by his foes! But we hope with trembling, dear 
father, remembering his words ! 

I have omitted to mention to you what more 
John related, touching the arrest of the Prophet. 
As the chief priests bound and laid their hands 
on him, there was heard above in the air the 
sound of myriads of rushing wings, and the 
gathering signal of a trumpet echoing in the 
skies, as if a countless host of invisible beings 
were marshaljing, armies by armies, in the mid- 
heaven. At this fearful and sublime sound, all 
raised their heads, but saw nothing; and Jesus 
said, with a majestic and commanding look, such 
as I never before beheld upon his face: 

“Ye hear,’’ he said to us, “ that I am not with- 
out heavenly friends! I have only to pray my 
Father, which is in heaven, and He will bid 
twelve legions of his angels, now hovering, 
sword-armed, in the air, and yearning to defend 
me, descend to my aid! But I may not use my 
powers for myself. I came on earth to suffer. 
As a man, I must submit to all things that come 
upon me; nor make use of more means in my 


368 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


behalf than a man can do! For this I came into 
the world. Lead on, I go with you 

Thus, dear father, was Jesus borne away by a 
fierce multitude, and dragged into the city, fol- 
lowed by a shouting and insulting crowd, who, 
seeing that, notwithstanding his miraculous 
powers, they could secure and hold him, mocked 
him only the more, making light of powers 
which could not prevent the capture of his per- 
son. Some even reviled him on the way, and 
asked him to call down the twelve legions of 
angels; while others said they were hungry and 
thirsty, and would have him turn water into wine 
for them, and give them bread by another miracle 
of loaves. 

John, whose interest in, and affection for Jesus, 
led him to follow them, dissfuised in a Roman 
soldier’s cloak, heard all this; but Jesus made no 
answer, only walking quietly along, patiently en- 
during all they said and did. 

As they entered the Damascus gate, the Ro- 
man guard, seeing the immense crowd and up- 
roar, stopped them to learn the cause of the 
commotion. 

‘'We have here a traitor and conspirator, O 
Captain of the guard,” answered Eli, the chief 
priest; "a pestilent fellow, who calls himself 
Christ, a king. We have, therefore, with this 
band of hired soldiers, taken him, as he was met 
secretly, with twelve of his fellow conspirators, 
plotting to overthrow the government of Caesar, 
and make himself king of Judea.” 

"Long live Caesar! Long live the emperor!” 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 369 


shouted the Roman soldiers. '‘We have no king 
but Augustus Imperator!’' 

Upon this, many of the soldiers cried, "Take 
him before the Procurator! He will give him 
his deserts, who would take his Procuratorship 
from him! To Pilate! To Pilate!” 

"To Annas!” shouted the Jews. "First, to 
Annas!” 

Then, with some shouting one thing, and 
others another thing, and with vast numbers of 
those who had come up to the Passover pressing 
to get sight of the Prophet, he was hurried 
towards the house of Annas, who is the most 
popular man among our people, and whose in- 
fluence over them is unbounded. On reaching, 
with great uproar of voices, and by the light of 
torches, the dwelling of the Pligh Priest’s son-in- 
law, they called him to the roof of the house, to 
which he came in his night apparel ; for it was by 
this time near the hour of midnight. 

When Annas knew that the prisoner was Jesus, 
he uttered a fearful oath of joy and wicked satis- 
faction, and coming down into the court, bade 
them bring the prisoner in. The calm majesty 
of Jesus abashed him, and checked the course of 
insulting questions he began to put to him. At 
length, finding that the Prophet would make him 
no reply, he caused him to be bound still more 
closely, and sent him to Caiaphas the High 
Priest, saying to him: 

"Caiaphas will find voice for thy tongue, O 
Prophet! So, thou wouldst destroy the Temple, 
and callest thyself the Lord Jehovah! Out, blas- 
phemer! Away with him, or the house will be 


370 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

swallowed up with the presence of one so im- 
pious. Away with the blasphemer! Pilate will 
make thee king in truth, and give thee a Roman 
throne, to which, so that thou mayest not pres- 
ently fall from it, he will nail thee, foot and 
hand!’’ 

At this the crowd shouted their approbation, 
and many cried: 

“To the cross! to the cross with him!'' 

But others said: '‘Nay, but to Caiaphas!" 
While the Roman soldiers asserted that he 
should be taken before Pilate. 

With renewed uproar, they tumultuouvsly 
pressed forward, their way lighted by the red 
glare of a hundred torches. John followed, but 
being recognized as one of his disciples, by a 
soldier in ^milius's legion, he was seized, and 
only escaped by leaving his cloak in the hands of 
the rude Roman; for such was the prevalent 
hatred to Jesus, that they called for his followers, 
and would have taken them also had it been in 
their power. Five of the disciples, who have es- 
caped arrest, are now in this house, whither John 
fled on eluding the grasp of the soldier. We are 
all sad and anxious. To move in favor of Jesus 
is only to share his fate, and do him no service; 
besides, I am pained to say, two or three of his 
disciples begin to doubt whether he is Messias, 
since, instead of establishing his promised king- 
dom, he is now a prisoner, and menaced with 
death. 

Yet, through all, dear father, I trust in him, 
and hope. I cannot doubt his truth and power. 
I have seen him bring Lazarus from the grave. 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 371 


and I will not believe but that He can save him- 
self, and will save himself, from their hands. It is 
only when I shall behold him really no more — see 
him really dead, that my faith in his divine mis- 
sion will waver. If he should be slain, then, 
alas! not only will perish forever all my hopes, 
and those of his trembling, weeping disciples, but 
the hopes ol the restoration and glory of Judah; 
for verily we have believed that it is He which 
should have redeemed Israel! With eyes 
blinded with tears, I can scarcely subscribe 
myself. 

Your sad, but loving daughter, 

ADINA. 


LETTER XXX. 


My Dear Father: — I know not how to write — 
I know not what to say. Dismay and sorrow fill 
my heart. I feel as if life were a burden too 
heavy to bear. Disappointment and regrets are 
all that remain to me. He, in whom I trusted — 
Fie, whom thousands in Judah had begun to look 
upon as the hope of the nation — He who, as his 
now wretched disciples trusted, would have re- 
deemed Israel — Jesus, has been delivered, this 
morning, by the Roman Procurator, to be con- 
demned to death, and they have crucified him! 
Tears of grief unutterable fall upon the parch- 
ment as I write, and, more eloquently than any 
words, tell you how I am smitten by this heavy, 
heavy blowd Jesus — the noble, mild, courteous, 
and wise Prophet, who taught with such grace 
and wisdom, and whom we believed to be sent 
from God to be the Saviour of our people, and the 
Prince who should sit on the throne of David, to 
restore the form.er splendor of our nation — is 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


873 


(lead! With him have perished all our hopes! 
When he bowed his bleeding head on the cross, 
the necks of weeping Judah bent once more to 
the dust, to receive the yoke of Rome, from 
which they believed he would have delivered 
them. With him has been quenched the rising 
light of the sun ?)f the Messias, who we hoped 
and believed that he was. But we hope no more! 
The daughters of Israel may now sit in the dust, 
and cover themselves with veils of woe; for he in 
whom they trusted is dead! Confounded and 
disma}^ed, his followers wander in the fields, or 
hide themselves from the multitude who seek 
their lives also. Alas! I cannot refrain from 
weeping bitter, bitter tears. How hath the Lord 
covered the daughters of Zion with a cloud in his 
anger, and cast down from Heaven unto earth 
the beauty of Israel. ‘"All they that pass by,’’ as 
saith the Prophet, “will clap their hands at us, 
who trusted in him, and wag their heads at the 
daughters of Jerusalem: Is this the man — the 
mighty Prophet, whom men called the Son of the 
Highest, the Messias of God — the Prince of 
David — the excellency of wisdom and the joy of 
the earth? The punishment of thine iniquity is 
accomplished, O Daughter of Zion!” 

Thus do I weep, and thus do I complain; for 
verily fear and a snare is come upon us, desola- 
tion and destruction, O my father! We know 
not which way to turn! He in whom we trusted 
has proved as one of us, weak and impotent, and 
has suffered death without power to save himself. 
He that saved others could not escape the death 
of the Roman cross! WTile I write, I hear the 


374 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

priest Abner, in the court below, mocking my 
Uncle Amos in a loud voice: 

''Your Messias is dead! A famous great 
prophet, surely, you Nazarenes have chosen — 
born in a stable, and crucified as a thief! Said 
I not that he who could speak ^gainst the Temple 
and the priesthood was of the devil?’’ 

Rabbi Amos makes no reply. Shame and 
despair seal his lips. Thus our enemies triumph 
over us, and we answer only with confusion of 
face. Even the disciples are outlawed, and a re- 
ward offered by Caiaphas for their arrest; and all 
those who, two days ago, were so full of hope, 
and proud to sit at the feet of Jesus, and to follow 
him vv^hithersoever he went, now fear to confess 
that they have ever known or seen him. It is 
only the high rank, as a priest, of my Uncle 
Amos, which protects him or his household from 
arrest. 

But, my dear father, to whom I have ever con- 
fided all my feelings and thoughts, shall we pro- 
nounce Jesus an impostor! Oh, can he whose 
very countenance was stamped with celestial dig- 
nity, whose lips dispensed truths such as the 
wisest philosophers and holiest prophets 
have loved to study and teach ; whose 
\vhole life has been blameless, and who 
has lived only to do good — can he be, must 
he be pronounced a deceiver? When I re- 
call the sick he has cured, the indigent he has re- 
lieved, the mourners he has comforted, the igno- 
rance he has enlightened, the dead he has up- 
raised, the sublime truths he has taught, his love 
of God, his respect for the worship of the Temple, 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVH). 


375 


the perfect morality of his daily life, the sincerity 
of all he said, and the universal sympathy which 
seemed to fill his bosom for all who were in sor- 
row — I cannot, oh, I cannot bring my pen to 
write the word ‘‘impostor,’’ in association with 
his name. But what shall I substitute? Alas! I 
feel desolate and miserable, like those who, con- 
fiding all their heart’s treasures to another’s 
keeping, whom they believed good and true, find 
that he was unworthy of confidence and betrays 
their trust. Jesus asserted that he came on earth 
to establish a kingdom, and sit on the throne of 
David; and that all nations would receive their 
laws from Jerusalem. Where, now, is his power? 
Where his throne? Where his laws? His power 
is ended in death! His throne is the Roman 
cross, placed between thieves; and the Roman 
laws, or rather power, which he was to destroy, 
have condemned himself to death ! 

This unexpected, this unlooked-for, startling 
result has stupefied me! And not only me, but 
all who have been so led by fascination to trust 
in him. Even John, the beloved disciple, I hear 
now pacing the floor of the adjoining room, sob- 
bing as if his noble heart would burst! Mary, 
my cousin’s sweet voice, I catch, from time to 
time, trying to soothe him, although she is 
stricken, like us all, to the very earth; for she 
trusted in Jesus, if possible, with more faith than 
I did; and hence her dismay at his death, at the 
sudden termination of all her hopes in him, and 
of his restoration of Israel is in proportion. We 
have wept to-night in each other’s arms, till we 
had no more tears to shed; and I have left her to 


376 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

pour out my griefs to you. The unhappy John 
despairingly answers her: 

‘VDo not try to comfort me, Mary! There is no 
ground for hope morel He is dead — dead — 
dead! All is lost! We who trusted in him have 
only to fly, if we would save our wretched lives, 
into Galilee, and return once more to our nets! 
The sun which shone so dazzlingly has proved a 
phantom light, and gone out in darkness. He 
whom I could not but love, I see that I loved too 
well, since he was not what I believed him to be. 
Oh, how could he be so like the Son of God, and 
yet not be? Yet I loved him as if he were the 
very Son of the Highest! But I have seen him 
die like a man — I have gazed on his lifeless body! 
I have beheld the deep wound made in his very 
heart by the Roman spear! I cast myself upon 
him, and implored him, by his love for me, to 
give some sign that he was not holden by death! 
I placed my trembling hands over his heart. It 
was still, still — motionless as stone, like any other 
dead man’s! The flesh of his corpse was cold 
and clammy! He was dead — dead! With him 
die all our hopes — the hopes of Israel!’’ 

“He may live again,” said Mary, softly, and 
hesitatingly, as if she, herself, had no such hope. 
“He raised Lazarus, thou dost remember!” 

“Yes, for Jesus was living to do it!” answered 
John, stopping in his walk; “but how can the 
dead raise the dead! No, he will never move, 
speak, nor breathe again.” 

Thus, dear father, are we left to mourn with 
shame at our delusion, and with utterly wrecked 
hopes. I candidly acknowledge that I have been 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 377 


too hasty to confess Jesus as Messias of God; but, 
oh, what could I do but believe in one who 
seemed so like an angel from heaven — a celestial 
Prince! There is a dreadful and deep mystery in 
it all. To the last we believed he would free 
himself, and escape death! For our sins God 
has suffered this great disappointment to come 
upon us all. 

1 try to seek some consolation in recalling all 
that he was, good and holy; but this retrospect 
only darkens the cFoud of the present; for I irres- 
istibly argue: How could he, who was so good, 
prove so great a deceiver? I live and breathe, 
while he, who taught me that he had life in him- 
self, and who I believed could raise me from the 
dead, if I died, he is now dead and laid in the 
tomb; and yet I Live! He, over whom, we 
fondly believed. Death could have no power, 
since the doors of sepulchres opened at his voice, 
and let forth their re-living tenants, he has been 
conquered by death, and proved himself only the 
mortal son of Joseph, and the widowed Mary. 
She is inconsolable. Her distress is heartrend- 
ing to witness. Not only has she lost her only 
son, about whom all her maternal sympathies 
were entwined, as the vine encircles the lofty 
palm, but she is humiliated in the very ashes of 
shame, that he has died, leaving the thousands 
who trusted to his word, fugitives for his name’s 
sake, and disappointed in all they expected from 
him. Even now I hear her heavy sighs, from the 
couch where she lies, broken-hearted, in my 
aunt’s chamber, to which John led her, after the 
execution of Jesus, at his request. She asks to 


378 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

be left alone, and I forget my own sorrows when 
I think upon hers, which are greater than she can 
bear; for, all at once, her son has been hurled 
from the position in which he drew all eyes up 
after him, and has died an ignominious death, 
leaving behind him the stigma of an impostor’s 
fame. This pierces her heart more keenly, than 
that she has been made childless. “Oh,” I 
heard her say to Rabbi Amos, when she came 
into the house, ''oh, that he could have deceived 
me thus — he whom I believed to be the soul of 
truth. Alas! my son — my son — better hadst 
thou remained in thy humble shop, leading a 
lowly and useful life, than, for the temporary 
popularity of a Prophet’s name, have held out 
hopes and promises to thy followers, that thou 
couldst never realize, and meet with such a death ! 
This has made my heart bleed indeed! My gray 
hairs will go.. down, to the grave with shame, that 
I am the mother of him who has deceived Israel.” 

But I will not dwell on this universal sorrow — 
sorrow mingled with mortification — for the pride 
of all has been humbled to the dust. I will give 
you a description, dear father, of what occurred 
after the arrest; for I wish you to be acquainted 
with every particular respecting him, that you 
may see how perfectly he sustained the lofty 
character, which drew all men after him, to the 
last — standing before his judges, like a man sub- 
lime in the consciousness of innocence, and com- 
manding even the involuntary respect and admi- 
ration of his foes. Oh, how could he have been 
a deceiver? Yet he is dead, and in that he is 
dead, he has failed in all the glorious things 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 37^^ 

which he promised concerning* himself. '‘His 
death/' says his disciple Peter, who was here to- 
night, to ask John what should now be done by 
them, “his death is his infamy!" 

But I will not further delay the account of his 
trial and condemnation; for you will be earnest 
to know how such a man could so fall as to be 
condemned to a malefactor’s death! In my last 
letter I spoke of his arrest — through the traitor- 
ous part enacted by Judas. Led by his captors, 
bound by the wrists with a cord, he was taken 
from the dark groves of Olivet, wherein he had 
been found at prayer, and conducted with great 
noise into the city by Caesar’s gate. It is near 
this archway that Rabbi Amos lives. It was the 
third hour of the night, and I had just gone to 
my room, which overlooked the street of David, 
when I was startled by the suddenly-heard out- 
cries of fierce men, breaking the night’s stillness. 
Then I heard the quick challenges of the Roman 
sentinels, the galloping of several horsemen, and 
a confused tumult; the cries, in the meanwhile, 
increasing. But I will copy for you Mary’s ac- 
count of it to Martha, just written by her, instead 
of adding any more to my own. 

“I went out upon the basilica, which over- 
looked the street,’’ says Mary to her sister, in her 
letter, “and beheld a multitude advancing, with 
torches Hashing; and soon they came opposite 
the house, at least two hundred men, half-clad 
and savage-looking, with flashing eyes and 
scowling looks. Here and there, among them, 
was a Levite urging them on, and I also beheld 
Abner, the priest, firing their passions by loud 


880 THE riHNCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


oratory and eager gesticulations. Behind rode 
five Roman horsemen, with levelled spears, 
guarding a young man, who walked in front of 
their horses’ heads. . It was Jesus. His rich 
auburn locks were dishevelled, his beard torn, his 
face marred, and his garments rent. He was 
pale and suffering, but walked with a firm step. 
I burst into tears, and so did Adina, who had 
come out to see what was passing. He looked 
up, and said, touchingly, ‘Weep not for me, 
daughters of Jerusalem, but weep for yourselves.’ 

“He would have said more, but the priest 
smote him rudely upon the mouth; and the 
crowd, following his example, would have done 
him further insult, but for the Roman soldiers, 
who turned their spears every way, to guard him 
from violence; for they had rescued him from 
the terrible rage of the Jews, by their centurion’s 
orders, and were commanded to bring him safely 
before Pilate. So, thus guarded and escorted, 
by the men who thirsted for his blood, he was led 
onward to the Pretorium, where the Roman Pro- 
curator resided. Gradually, the whole multi- 
tude, horsemen, Jews, priests, torch-bearers, and 
captive, disappeared in the distance; and silence, 
a dread and unearthly silence, succeeded. I 
turned and looked in Adina’s face. She was 
leaning, colorless as marble, against one of the 
columns of the basilica. 

'' 'What can all this mean?’ she said, with emo- 
tion. 'Can it be nossible he has suffered himself 
to be taken — He who could destroy or make 
alive with a word? What means this dreadful 
scene we have just witnessed?’ 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 381 


could not answer. It was inexplicable, in- 
comprehensible to me. All I knew was what my 
eyes just beheld, that Jesus, our Prophet, our 
King, our Messias, on whom all our hopes and 
the joy of Israel rested, was dragged, a prisoner, 
through the streets, helpless and without a 
helper. I trembled with, I knew not what, un- 
known forebodings. Suddenly Adina cried: 

“‘He cannot be harmed! He cannot die! 
Pie is a mighty Prophet, and has power that will 
strike his enemies dead! Let us not fear. He 
has yielded himself, only the more terribly to de- 
feat and destroy his foes. We will not fear what 
Pilate or the priests will do! They cannot harm 
the anointed Shiloh of the Lord!’ 

“While we were yet talking, dearest Martha, a 
dark figure passed steathily along beneath the 
basilica, and seemed to court the shadows of the 
house. At this moment, my father. Rabbi 
Amos, opened the outer gate, with a torch in his 
hand, to follow, at our request, the crowd of peo- 
ple, and see what should befall Jesus. The light 
glared full upon the tall, spare form of Peter, the 
Galilee fisherman. His dark, stern features 
wore an expression of earnest anxiety. In his 
hand he carried a naked sword, on which were 
visible drops of blood. 

“ Ts it thou, Peter!’ exclaimed my father. 
‘What is this? Who has ordered the arrest of 
Jesus? What has he done?’ 

“ ‘That hateful and envious man, Caiaphas, 
seeks to destroy him, and has bribed, with large 
lures of gold, the baser Jews to do this thing. 
Come with me. Rabbi, and let us die with him!’ 


382 THE TRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

and the Galilean pressed eagerly forward at a 
pace with which my father could not keep up. 

“And this was an hour ago, and yet no news 
has come from the Pretorium; but, from time to 
time, a dreadful shout from the hill, on which 
the palace of Caiaphas stands, breaks upon my 
ears; and the glare of unseen torches illumines 
the atmosphere high above the towers of the 
palace. It is a fearful night of agony and sus- 
pense. Adina in her painful uncertainty, but for 
my entreaties, would go forth alone towards the 
Pretorium, to hear and know all. I can keep 
myself calm only by writing to you. Adina has 
also commenced a letter to her father, recording 
these sad things, but she drops her pen, to start 
to the balcony at every sound. When will this 
fearful night end! What will the morrow re- 
veal! Adina is confident nothing can befall the 
holy Prophet, for he who could raise your 
brother Lazarus from the dead cannot fear death. 
Besides, has he not promised that he has come 
from God, to be king of Israel? If he ‘enters the 
Pretorium a bound captive to-night, it will be to 
sit upon the Roman throne within it to-morrow, 
with Pilate in chains at his feet! I write this, to 
send to you by Elec at dawn, that you and Laza- 
rus may hasten to come intp the city to us. . . . 

'‘It is an hour since I wrote the last line. The 
interval has been one of agony. Rumors have 
reached us that the priests insist on Pilate’s pass- 
ing sentence of death on the Prophet. The 
cries, 'Crucify him! crucify him!’ have distinctly 
reached our ears. John is now here. About 
half an hour after Jesus passed he reached the 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 383 


house, nearly destitute of apparel, his clothing 
having been torn off from him by the Jews, in 
their efforts to make him prisoner also. He is 
calm and confiding, saying that his beloved 
Master can never be injured by them; and that 
he will, ere many hours, deliver himself from his 
foes, and proclaim himself king of Israel, with 
power such as man never had before! May the 
God of Jacob defend him! John has just gone 
up to the Temple, to get news, in disguise of a 
priest, wearing my father’s robes. I tremble lest 
he be discovered, and taken; for the Jews are as 
bitter against the followers as against their 
Master. 

•»**** -x- 

'T have just seen a messenger, passing in great 
haste along the street; and his horse falling, cast 
him almost upon our threshold. It was the page 
of Himilius, the noble Roman knight who is be- 
trothed to my cousin Adina. She hastened to 
my aid. He was but stunned, and soon was able 
to say, that he bore a message from Lucia Me- 
tella, the fair and youthful bride of Pilate, urging 
him to have nothing to do with the Prophet, but 
give him his liberty; for she had just awaked 
from an impressive dream, in which she saw him 
sitting on the Throne of the Universe, crowned 
with the stars of heaven, the earth the footstool 
beneath his feet, and all nations assembled, and 
doing him homage, while the gods and goddesses 
of high Olympus cast their glittering crowns 
and sceptres at his feet, and hailed him God! 

“Such was the account given by the page to 
Adina; and remounting his horse, he has con- 


384 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


tinued rapidly on his way towards the Pretorium. 
This report of the page has filled our hearts with 
joy and hope inexpressible. Confident that 
Jesus is the son of God, we will not fear what 
man can do unto him. 

“It is now three hours past midnight, and the 
dawn is chilly and cold, so that I cannot longer 
hold my pen. I shall send this as soon as the 
city gates are opened. Come at once to cur 
comfort; for this is no time for the friends of 
Jesus to be out of Jerusalem. 

“My father has returned. It is day. He says 
nothing can save Jesus but his own divine power. 
The Jews are in number many thousands, and 
cry for his blood. Pilate has but a cohort of 
soldiers, and fears to use force, lest the exasper- 
ated people break into open revolt, and take the 
city from his hands, which they can do if they 
will unite. ‘He trembles,’ said my father, ‘be- 
tween fear to condemn the innocent, and fear of 
the vengeance of the Jews, if he let him go. 
Nothing can save the Prophet but his own 
mighty miracle-working power. He who has 
saved others, will surely save himself.’ 

“While my father was speaking, a man rushed 
into our presence. He was low in stature, broad 
chested, with a stiff, reddish beard, narrow eyes, 
and sharp, unpleasant visage. His attire was 
ragged and mean, as was his whole aspect. He 
grasped in his right hand a small bag,^ which 
rung like coin, as his shaking hand held it. He 
trembled all over, and seizing my father by the 
arm with the quick, nervous grasp of a lunatic, 
cried hoarsely: 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 385 


'Will he let them! will he! will he?’ 

‘''Will he what, Judas? Of whom do you 
speak? Art thou crazed? Thou shouldst well 
be, after th}^ deed to-night.’ 

" ‘Will he let them kill him? Will he die? will 
he die? Think you he will not escape? He can 
if he will! Cords, to him, are ropes of sand!’ 

" 'No, no — he is bound hand and foot,’ an- 
swered my father, sadly. ‘He makes no defence! 
I fear he will let them do as they will with him. 
He makes no effort to save his life.’ 

"At this, Judas, for it was that wicked man, 
beat his knotted forehead, in a frenzied manner, 
with a bag of silver, and, with a look of horrible 
despair, rushing forth, he cried as he went: 

"‘I will save him! The priests shall have 
their money again. He shall not die! If I had 
believed he would not do some miracle to escape 
them, I never would have sold him. I hoped to 
get their money, and trusted, if they took him, 
for him to escape by his power. I did not dream 
that he would not exert it to save himself. I will 
save thee, innocent man of God, for I, not thou, 
alone am guilty! Oh, if I had suspected this — 
but he shall not die!’ 

'‘With these ravings he disappeared towards 
the Pretorium, leaving us all amazed at what we 
had heard. 

" 'Yes,’ said my father, T see it now. Judas 
hoped to secure the money and cheat the chief 
priests, trusting to his divine power to get away 
out of their hands. See the force of conscience! 
He is now beside himself, with horror and re- 


386 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

morse; for he knows that he whom he has be- 
trayed is a man of God, without sin or guile!' 

'The sun is up. The fate of Jesus is sealed! 
The Procurator has signed the sentence of death, 
and he is to be crucified to-day! But with 
Judas, I believe that he cannot die, and that he 
will signalize the hour by some wonderful 
miracle of personal deliverance. Thus, trem- 
blingly, we hope and wait." 

Here terminates, my dear father, what my 
cousin has written to Martha and Lazarus, and, 
as it is very minute, please to receive it as if 
written by myself; for, during the night, I was 
too greatly unnerved to write with the composure 
she had done. But now, that all is over — now, 
that Jesus lies dead in the tomb and forever at 
rest I have been able to resume my pen. 

In my next I will give you an account of his 
trial, as it was related to me by my Uncle Amos, 
and by John, one of whom was present to the 
last. This evening I am going to see the sepul- 
chre, where they have laid him ; for, although he 
has in his death so sorely crushed all our hopes 
in him, and proved that he was not what he pro- 
fessed to be, yet my heart and affections hover 
about his memory, and irresistibly draw my foot- 
steps towards his last resting-place. Though we 
are deceived, I cannot hate his memory. Oh 
no! I cannot — T dare not trust myself to say all 
that I feel. I only wish I could forget him for 
evermore, and reeret that T have ever tried to 
convince you that he was the Shiloh of the 
Prophets. Yet never man spake like this man. 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


G87 


my dear father! and if Shiloh in truth come, he 
can do no greater works than he has done. In 
all things he was the Son of God but in his death ! 
This event dashes all our hopes and our faith in 
him forever. 

Your sorrowing, but loving daughter, 

ADINA. 


LETTER XXXI. 


Dearest Father: — I have only terminated my 
last letter, to take up my pen for the beginning of 
another; for 1 find relief, only in writing to you, 
from the deep afiiiction which has struck me to 
the earth. If anything can add to my mortifica- 
tion at the death of the Nazarene, Jesus, it is that 
I should have endeavored so earnestly to make 
you believe in him also. Forgive me, my dear 
father; your wisdom, your knowledge of the 
Prophets, your judgment, were far above my 
own. But who could have believed that he was 
less than he claimed to be — the very Son and 
Messias of God. Oh! I shall never have confi-^ 
dence in a human being again; and the more 
lovely, the more holy, the more heavenly the 
character of anyone, the wiser and purer their 
teachings, the more distrustful shall I be of them. 
In the grave with Jesus is buried, henceforth and 
forever, all trust in human virtue — even when ac- 
companied by am.azing miracles. I perceive that 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 389 


a man may teach divine truths, nay, wear upon 
his lineaments the very impress of an angel, may 
heal the sick by a touch, walk the sea, raise the 
dead, and cast out devils, and yet prove in the 
end a deceiver. Alas for human truth! Alas 
for poor Israel! which has thus been blinded! 
They have beheld their idolized Shiloh nailed to 
a Gentile cross, without power in himself to pre- 
vent this ignominy. 

But I will turn from these painful thoughts, 
and, as I promised in my last, will give you an 
account of what passed at his trial, as you will be 
desirous of knowing on what accusation his con- 
demnation was founded. 

It is now the morning following his cruci- 
fixion, and I am calmer than I was yesterday, 
and will be able to write wdth more coherency. 
Twenty-four hours have passed since he was 
nailed to the cross. His followers have been 
since hunted like wild beasts of the wilderness. 
Annas has hired, and filled with wine, fierce 
Roman soldiers, and sent them everywhere to 
seize the fugitive Nazarenes. John was espe- 
cially sought out, and the emissaries of Annas 
came at midnight, last night, to the house to take 
him; but we assisted him in making his escape, 
by means of the subterraneous passage, that 
leads from the dwelling of Rabbi Amos into the 
catcombs beneath the Temple. Mary of Naza- 
reth, the mother of Jesus, accompanied him, and 
thev got safely out of the city, and are now at 
Bethany with Martha, — whence they will go 
to John’s new home, near Gennesaret. Even 
Lazarus, whom Jesus raised, has been made pris- 


390 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


oner, but was released by the influence of Mmi- 
lius, the Roman knight, who has conducted him 
hither, where he now is in safety; and ^milius 
has also placed a guard about our house, for fear 
of further Jewish violence. I therefore can write 
to you undisturbed, ^milius is the only one 
who has any confidence left, since Jesus died, in 
his promises. He says that Jesus plainly fore- 
told his death, and also that if he died, he would 
rise again! Peter, also, recollects Jesus’ saying 
this; but Uncle Amos has no confidence, and 
says: 

“It is easy for any man to foretell that he will 
die, and quite as easy for him to add that he will 
rise again! But let us see Jesus rise again, and 
we will believe in him indeed!” 

But ^milius, though only recently a convert 
from the Paganism of Rome, is firm in his faith, 
that he will rise again to life; and, instead of giv- 
ing up all, as we do, he says that he should not 
be amazed to be suddenly told by the soldiers, 
Avhom he left to guard his tomb, that he had 
burst forth alive from the dead! The confidence 
of .Timilius has almost inspired me with hope 
again! But, my dear father, I saw his cleaved 
side, the torrent of blood and water flow forth 
from the horrid wound, and saw his lifeless head 
hang down upon his breast. If he had not been 
pierced through, I might have hoped that he 
could yet revive! But that he was pierced, re- 
moves all hope that he can be restored. He did 
not swoon, and thus appear like one dead, or we 
might trust to his restoration; but he was slain, 
and I saw him lie a mangled corpse at the foot 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


391 


of the cross, bleeding from five wounds, one of 
Vvdiich was through and through his heart. I 
should rejoice to have the faith of dear ^milius; 
but I tell him that I have hitherto believed too 
well, and that when Jesus expired, all faith in my 
bosom expired with him. 

But I have forgotten that I am to narrate to 
you, dear father, the particulars of his accusa- 
tion, trial, and condemnation. As I was not 
present at the Pretorium, I am indebted, for the 
details which I shall give, in part to John, and in 
part to Rabbi Amos, who were both there a por- 
tion of the night; Peter, and other disciples, as 
well as ^milius, have given me additional facts. 

As soon as the mob of Jews, who had Jesus 
under arrest, and which I saw pass the house, 
reached the house of Rabbi Annas, he, from his 
window, asked them whom they had in custody; 
and when they answered that it was the ‘‘Naza- 
rene Prophet,"’ he said, with great joy: 

‘‘Bring him into the lower court, that I may 
see him. By the rod of Aaron! I would have 
him do some notable miracle for me.” 

And thus speaking, the white-headed old man 
hastened to the court, which, on reaching, he 
found thronged with the infuriated multitude, 
mingled with the Roman soldiers. It was with 
difficulty he made a passage to where Jesus 
stood, both imprisoned and defended by a glitter- 
ing lattice of Roman spears. After regarding 
him attentively, he said, with curiosity, yet with 
sarcasm : 

“Art thou, then, the King of the Jews? Hast 
thou come to reign on the throne of David? 


392 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID, 


Show me a sign from heaven, and I will ac- 
knowledge thee, O Nazarene!’’ 

But Jesus stood calm and dignified, making 
no answer. Annas then angrily plucked him by 
the beard, and a messenger at the same moment 
arrived, to say that Caiaphas, the High Priest, 
who had married the beautiful and haughty 
Miriam, the daughter of Annas, demanded to 
have Jesus brought before him. Upon this he 
said, in a loud voice : 

'‘Lead him to the Palace! Caiaphas, my son- 
in-law, v/ould see the man who would destroy 
the Temple, and re-build it in three days.’’ 

There now arose a dreadful shout from the 
priests and people who, rushing upon Jesus, at- 
tempted to grasp his person; and in protecting 
him, as they had been commanded to do, the 
Romans wounded several of the Jews. Here- 
upon there was a great cry of, — 

“Down with the Roman eagles! Down with 
the barbarians! Death to the Gentiles!” 

These cries were followed up by a fearful rush 
of the mass of men, upon the handful of guards. 
They were forced back, their spears broken like 
straws, or turned aside, and Jesus successfully 
wrested from their power. But in the height of 
the battle, ^milius, who had heard the tumult 
from the castle, appeared with a portion of the 
legion, of which he was Prefect, and instantly 
charging the people, who fled before the breasts 
of his horses, rescued the Prophet, but not 
without the sacrifice of the lives of three of the 
foremost. 

"Rabbi,” said yT^milius to the Prophet, with 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 393 


compassionate respect, ''I know thou hast power 
from God to disperse, as chaff, this rabble of 
fiends ! Speak, and let them perish at thy divine 
command!’’ 

“Nay, my son! I am come into the world for 
this hour,” answered Jesus. “This, also, is a 
part of my mission from my Father. It becomes 
me to endure all things, even death.” 

“You cannot die, my Lord!” said ^milius, 
warmly. “Did I not see thee raise Lazarus from 
the tomb?” 

“To die I came into this world; but not for 
myself. I lay down my life, and I can take it 
again. These men could have no power over 
me, except my Father did grant it to them: and 
what my Father doth, I do also. Seek not, my 
son, to deliver me. This day was seen by 
Esaias, who wrote of me. I must fulfil the 
Prophets. There remains only that I be de- 
livered to judgment and to death!” 

These words passed between them beneath the 
portico, as ^T^milius was loosing the sharp cords 
from the bleeding wrists of the youthful Prophet. 

“To Caiaphas! to Caiaphas!” now cried the 
multitude, who had been for a moment awed by 
the bold charge of the Roman horse, but now 
grew bolder, as some men removed the dead and 
wounded out of sight. “To the palace Vv^ith the 
blasphemer! for he who calls himself God is, by 
our law, to be punished with death. To the 
High Priest with him !” 

“I can rescue you, Great Prophet!” said TEmW- 
ius, resolutely. “Give me the word, and you 


394 THE PIHNCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


are mounted on my horse, and safe in the castle 
of David.’; 

'‘The High Priest has sent for me. He must 
be obeyed,” answered Jesus; and ^milius, sur- 
prised at his refusal to escape, reluctantly es- 
corted him to the palace. The windows already 
glared with the torches; and the superb Hall of 
Aaron, within the Palace, was alight with a hun- 
dred flambeaux. The Romans entered, guard- 
ing their prisoner, and followed by a tumultuous 
throng, which, each moment, fearfully increased 
in numbers. Caiaphas was already upon his 
throne, although it was the hour of midnight, 
an unwonted time for him to sit in the council- 
chamber; but his desire to have Jesus brought 
before him, of whose arrest in Olivet he had 
been an hour before apprised by one of his emis- 
saries, led him to hold an extraordinary court. 
A score of the elders and chief-priests were 
standing about him, their dark, eager faces 
earnestly watching the entrance, to get a look at 
the approaching Prophet. Among the most 
eager of all these was Caiaphas himself, who re- 
garded the eloquent Nazarene as his rival in the 
eyes of the whole people, and had, therefore, 
long thirsted for his destruction. As Jesus 
serenely entered, led by the sorrowful ^milius, 
Caiaphas bent his tall, gaunt form forward, 
thrust his neck and huge black head in advance, 
and, with keen eyes, and sharp, scrutinizing 
glances, surveyed his youthful rival. 

The multitude, pressing in, soon filled all the 
vast hall, and even crowded upon the rostrum, 
upon which were seated the scribes, elders, and 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 395 


many of the principal priests. The Roman sol- 
diers, with clanging steel, marched in, and ar- 
rayed themselves on either side of the High- 
Priest’s throne, leaving Jesus standing alone 
before its foot-stool. The scene must have been 
striking, and full of painful interest, to the most 
unconcerned present. The arched ceiling of the 
chamber, supported by seventy columns of por- 
phyry, represented the deep blue heavens, 
studded with glittering constellations in starry 
gold. The walls were of jasper, superbly col- 
ored, with precious stones inlaid, representing 
every variety of fruit and flower, in all their 
native tints and varied forms of grace and beauty. 
The hundred flambeaux reflected a thousand 
times from the polished surfaces of the columns, 
shed a magnificent light over all. The gorgeous 
robes of the High-Priest, his dazzling tiara and 
priceless breast-plate, refracted the radiant 
beams with indescribable prismatic splendor. 
The steel spear-heads and polished cuirasses of 
the Roman guard, catching the light upon points 
and bosses, gleamed like flames of fire; while the 
silver crest of the helmet of ^Hmilius shone 
among all this glory like a lesser sun. 

^ Contrasting this brilliancy, surged, and 
heaved, and moved below the dark masses of the 
people, in their gray and brown caps and cloaks, 
for the night was cold, and they wore their winter 
garments; and all this dark ocean of human 
forms gleamed with ten thousand eyes, flashing 
like the phosphorescent stars, that glitter on the 
surface of the up-heaving sea, when the shadow 
of the storm-cloud hangs above it, and the winds 


396 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

are about to be unbound, to lash it into lury. 
So seemed this terrible sea of human heads — 
Jesus, the centre of their looks and of their hate, 
the Pharos at whose feet these foaming billows 
of passion broke with terrific power. He alone, 
of all that countless host, he alone was calm — 
serene — fearless! Caiaphas gazed upon him, as 
he stood before his foot-stool, betraying admira- 
tion mingled with resentment. The scribes and 
priests also gazed and talked together, with 
looks of unusual interest. Caiaphas now waved 
his hand, with a gesture for silence, and ad- 
dressed Jesus: 

“So, then,’^ he said, with haughty irony, “thou 
art Jesus, the far-famed Galilean Prophet! Men 
say thou canst raise the dead! We would fain 
see a miracle. Thinkest thou if we put thee to 
death presently, thou canst raise thyself?’’ 

“ 'J^sus,’ said Rabbi Amos, who just entered, 
and stood near, and saw all, 'Jesus remained un- 
moved. His bearing was marked by a certain 
divine dignity, and an expression of holy resig- 
nation sat upon his features. He looked like 
Peace, incarnate in the form of man! A soft in- 
fluence seemed to flow from his presence, and 
produce a universal, but momentary, emotion of 
sympathy. Caiaphas perceived it, and cried, in 
his harsh, stern voice: 

“ 'You have brought this man before me, men 
of Jerusalem! Of what do ye accuse him?’ 

“ 'He is a malefactor, or we would not have 
brought him,” responded a fierce voice from the 
multitude. 

“ 'Let those who have accusations come for- 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


397 


ward and make them. He is a Jew, and shall 
have justice by our laws.' 

“ 'Ye Jews have no power to try a man for his 
life, most noble Caiaphas!' said ^milius. ‘The 
lives of all your nation are in the hands of Caesar, 
and of his tribunals. You can put no man to 
death !' 

“This said ^Tlmilius, in hopes that if Jesus 
could be brought before Pilate, the Roman Pro- 
curator, he might be by him released, for he 
knew Pilate had no envy or feeling against the 
Prophet. 

‘Thou sayest well, noble Roman,' answered 
Caiaphas; ‘but for crimes of blasphemy against 
the Temple, we are permitted by Caesar to judge 
our people by the laws of Moses. And this man, 
if rumor comes nigh the truth, has been guilty of 
blasphemy. But w^e will hear the witnesses.' 

“Hereupon several of the chief-priests and 
scribes, wJio had been going in and out among 
the crowd, lirought forward certain men, whose 
very aspect show^ed them to be of the baser sort. 
One of these men testified that he had heard 
Jesus say, that he would destroy the Temple, and 
could again in three days rebuild it more mag- 
nificently than it was in the days of Solomon the 
Mighty. 

“Upon this testimony all the priests shouted, 
‘Blasphemer!' and called for him to be stoned to 
death; and the passionate Abijah, the most viru- 
lent of the scribes, cast his iron ink-horn vio- 
lently at him, but one of the soldiers turned it 
aside with his lance; at wdiich there was a deep 


398 THE PKINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

murmur against the Romans, which Caiaphas, 
with difficulty, silenced. 

‘‘A second witness was now produced by Abi- 
jah, who testified, that Jesus had taught in 
Samaria, that men would soon no longer wor- 
ship in the Temple, but that the whole earth 
would be the temple, for Jews and Gentiles. 

“This was no sooner heard, than some of the 
men gnashed at Jesus with their teeth, and, but 
for the gestures and loud voice of the High- 
Priest, they would have made an attempt to get 
him into their power. The noise of their rage is 
described as having been like the roaring of all 
the wild beasts of the wilderness, rushing to the 
banquet of a fresh battle-field. 

“A third witness, a man who had been notor- 
ious for his crimes, now came up. He carried 
on his wrist a cock, with steel gaffs upon the 
spurs, as if just brought up from the cock-pit to 
bear testimony; for such were the sort of fellows 
suborned by the priests. He testified that Jesus 
said, that the day would soon come when not one 
stone should be left upon another of the Temple; 
that he had called it ‘a den of thieves,’ and the 
priests 'blind guides’ and deceivers; the scribes 
‘foxes’; and the pharisees 'hypocrites!’ 

“But the fourth and fifth witnesses contra- 
dicted each other; neither did the testimony of 
two others agree; one, who asserted that he 
heard him call himself 'the Son of God,’ was con- 
tradicted by others, who asserted that it was only 
'the Son of Man:’ and, in another instance, one 
said he heard him say, that he and God were 
One, while the other testified that what he said 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 399 


was, that God was greater than he. Neither did 
other witnesses agree together. 

'‘Such opposite testimony perplexed and irri- 
tated Caiaphas, and confounded the chief-priests 
and scribes. The High-Priest now began to 
perceive that Jesus would have to be released, 
for want of testimony against him. All the while 
the prisoner had remained standing before him 
bound, with his hands tied across his body, his 
countenance mild, but heroic — ‘the firmness and 
composure of innocence,’ as ^milius described 
his bearing to be. 

“‘What! Galilean and blasphemer of God 
and His Temple! answereth thou nothing?’ cried 
the High-Priest; ‘hearest thou not what these 
witnesses say against thee!’ 

“But Jesus remained silent. Caiaphas was 
about to break the silence by some fierce words, 
when a voice was overheard the other side of 
the column's, on the left of the throne, where was 
a fire-place, in which was burning a large fire, 
about which stood many persons. Rabbi Amos 
at once recognized, in the violent speaker, Peter, 
who had come in with him and John; the latter 
of whom, in the disguise of a priest, stood not 
far from Jesus, gazing tenderly upon him, and 
listening, with the most painful interest, to all 
that they testified against him: but Peter stood 
farther ofr, by the fire, yet not less eagerly attend- 
ing to all that passed. 

“‘Thou art one of the Nazarene’s followers!’ 
cried the voice of a maid, who brought wood to 
feed the fire. ‘Thou needest not to deny it, I 


400 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


am of Galilee, and knew thee when thou wert a 
fisherman. Seize him, for he is one of them/ 
'Woman, I swear by the altar and ark of 
God, and by the sacred Tables, I know not the 
fellow! I never saw Galilee!' 

'' 'Thy speech betrayeth thee, now thou hast 
spoken!' cried the woman; 'thou art a Galilean, 
and thy name is Simon Bar Jona. I know thee 
well; and how, three years ago, you and your 
brother Andrew left your nets, to follow this 
Nazarene!' 

" 'May the thunders of Horeb and the curse of 
Jehovah follow me, if what thou sayest be true, 
woman. Thou mistakest me for some other 
man. I swear to you, by the head of my father, 
men and brethren, that I never saw his face 
before!’ 

"As he spoke," said John, "he cast his angry 
looks towards the place where Jesus stood. He 
caught his Master's eyes bent upon him, with a 
tender and reproving gaze, so full of sorrowing 
compassion, mingled with forgiveness, that I 
saw Peter stand, as if smitten with lightning. 
He then pressed his two hands to his face, and 
uttering a cry of anguish and despair, that made 
the High-Priest start, and which went to every 
heart, he rushed out, by the open door, into the 
darkness, and disappeared. As he did so, the 
cock, which was held tied upon the wrist of the 
third witness, crowed twice, in so loud a tone, 
that it caused some persons in the gross crowd 
to burst into laughter, and to imitate him, greatly 
to the annoyance of Caiaphas, who for some time 
could not still the confusion. I then remem- 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 401 


bered the words of Jesus to Peter, spoken but 
twelve hours before: ‘This night, even before the 
cock crow the first watch of the morning, thou 
shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me!' Upon 
this," added John, “my confidence in my Master 
came back, full and strong, and I felt that he 
would not, could not, be harmed; for, that he 
foreknew all things that could happen to him, 
and would escape danger of death. 

“At length, when order was restored, so that 
Caiaphas could be heard, he again addressed 
Jesus, saying, but with more respect than before: 

“ ‘Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? 
I adjure thee, by the living God, tell us plainly!' 

“Jesus then elevated his princely form, and 
bending his eyes upon the face of the High- 
Priest, with a look so brightly-celestial that Caia- 
X-)has involuntarily dropped his eyelids to the 
ground, answered, and said: 

“ ‘If I tell you, O Caiaphas, ye wall not believe! 
If I prove it to you from the prophets, and by 
my works, ye wall not listen? If I say that I 
am Christ, ye will not then acknowledge me, nor 
let m.e go free! I have spoken openly to the 
world, in the Temple, and in the synagogue. I 
have concealed nothing. Ask them which heard 
me, wTat I have said. Nevertheless, I say unto 
you what 1 have before taught, that I am the 
Christ, the Son of the Blessed; and hereafter ye 
shall behold me sitting on the right hand of the 
power of God, and coming in the clouds of 
heaven.' 

“ ‘Art thou the Son of God?' cried several of 


402 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAYID. 


the priests at once, while Caiaphas held up his 
hands in horror. 

‘Ye have said that which I am,' answered 
the Prophet, without changing, except to a sub- 
limer look, the expression of his countenance, 
which,” says John, “seemed to shine, as he had 
seen it in the Mount, when he was transfigured 
before him. 

“ ‘Men of Israel and Judah, ye hear his words!' 
cried the Pligh Priest, rending down the blue lace 
from his ephod. ‘Hear ye his blasphemy?' 

“ ‘Said I not, son of Aaron, that you would 
neither believe m.e nor let me go, if I told you 
who I am?’ said Jesus, firmly. ‘I tell you the 
truth, and ye call it blasphemy!' 

“ ‘Answerest thou the High-Priest so!' cried 
Abner, furiously, ‘the chief officer of the 
Temple!' striking him with the palm of his hand 
across the mouth. 

“Jesus calmly answered, with the blood trick- 
ling from his lips: ‘If I have spoken evil, bear 
witness of the evil, and judge me by our law; but 
if well, why smitest thou me?' 

“ ‘Ye have heard the blasphemy,' said Caia- 
phas, extending his hands towards the people. 
‘What think ye? Need we any further witness 
than his own mouth?' 

“‘He is guilty of death!' cried Abner, in a 
hoarse voice, his eyes, red with being up all the 
night, glaring like a leopa"*'^'s; and advancing to 
where Jesus stood, bound and bleeding, he spat 
in his face thrice. 

“This was followed by a loud outcry for his 
. and several vile fellows also spat upon 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 403 


him, and pulled him by the beard, and for some 
minutes it seemed to be the only thought of all, 
who were any ways near him, to do him some 
ignominy; and, but for the protection of ^milius 
and his soldiers, they would have torn him in 
pieces. 

‘Is this Jewish justice?' cried ^milius, in- 
dignantly, to Caiaphas. ‘Do you condemn and 
kill a man without witness? Stand back, 
hounds, for Romans are not used to see men 
condemned without law. Back, fellows — or 
your blood shall flow sooner than his for which 
you thirst!' 

“At this determined attitude they gave back 
for a moment, and left Jesus standing in the 
midst, sad but serene. 

“John ran to him, and wiped the blood and 
uncleanness from his lips, and cheeks, and beard, 
and gave him water, which the woman who had 
recognized Peter, compassionately brought in a 
ewer. 

']\Iaster, use thy power, and escape from 
them!’ whispered John. 

“ ‘Nay — tempt me not, beloved,' he answered. 
^My power is not for my deliverance, but for that 
of the world. For you I can do mighty works; 
but for myself I do nothing. I came not to save 
my life, but to lay it down! Mine hour is at 
hand !’ 

“ ‘Let not a handful of Romans frighten you, 
men of Jerusalem!' cried Abner. ‘There is not 
a legion in all the city. Here we are masters, if 
we will it! To the rescue! Let me hear the 
Idon of Judah roar in his might, and the Eagle 


404 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

of Rome will shrink and fly away. To the 
rescue!' 

^^‘Hold! men and brethren!' cried Caiaphas, 
who had judgment enough to see that the first 
blow would be the beginning of a revolution, 
that would bring down upon the city the Roman 
army quartered in Syria, and end in the destruc- 
tion of the nation. 'Hold, madmen!' 

"But his voice was drowned amid the roar of 
the human tempest, ^milius and his men were 
borne away on the crest of the surge, and so 
pressed by the bodies of the Jews that they could 
not make use of their weapons. In the wild con- 
fusion, Jesus was carried, by fierce hands, to the 
opposite end of the council-chamber; while Caia- 
phas strove to appease the wrath of ^milius, 
who insisted that the fate of Jesus should be left 
with Pilate, the Procurator. After brief consul- 
tation with the chief-priests, elders, and scribes, 
Caiaphas consented; though knowing that 
Pilate, being a Pagan, would not heed a charge 
of blasphemy, he resolved with the rest, that 
nothing should be said of that before him, but 
that he should be accused to him of sedition, 
and setting up a kingdom in opposition to the 
universal empire of Caesar. 

"When ^milius, aided by the authority of 
Caiaphas, at length came where Jesus had been 
dragged, they found him standing blindfolded 
among a crowd of the basest fellows of Jerusa- 
lem, who were amusing themselves by slapping 
his cheeks, and asking him to tell, by his divine 
knowledge of all things, who did it? They 
would also hold money before his blinded eyes. 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


405 


and ask him to name its value or inscription; 
and when he still kept silence, they struck him, 
beat him with their hands, and cruelly smote him 
with their staves to make him respond. 

'' ‘We will let thee go, Nazarene,' said one, ‘if 
thou wilt tell how many hairs I have in my 
beard!’ 

“ ‘Nay, let him divine!’ cried another, ‘what I 
gave for my Passover-lamb, in the market, and 
the name of the Samaritan of whom I bought it!’ 

“ ‘Out with your lambs, Kish !’ shouted a third 
fellow, thrusting himself forward, ‘let me hear 
him prophecy! It is a rare quail, a prophet, in 
these dull times. What, Galilean, silent and 
sullen! I will make thee speak, and sing, too!’ 
and he let a blow of his staff fall upon the head 
of Jesus, which would have felled him to the 
earth, but for the voice of Caiaphas, which ar- 
rested, in part, its force. 

“‘Men of Israel!’ he cried aloud, ‘that this 
pestilent Nazarene is a blasphemer, we have 
heard with our ears; and, by our law, he ought 
to die, because he hath made himself the Son of 
God! But Caesar hath taken the power of life 
and death out of our hands! We can put no 
man to death, but the Romans only. That he 
has spoken against Caesar, and is a seditionist, 
can be proved. Let us take him before Pilate 
with this accusation; and if he be found guilty 
of death, as he will be, unless the Procurator 
wink at a usurper’s rising up in his government, 
which he will not dare to do, we shall have the 
Nazarene hanged on a Roman cross, ere the sun 


406 THE PKINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

reaches the mark of noon on the dial of the 
Temple.’ 

‘'This speech pleased the people, and having 
re-bound Jesus, more securely, they cried, all 
with one voice: ‘to Pilate! To the Pretorium!’” 

The multitude then poured out of the gates of 
the palace, like a foaming and chafing river, 
which hath overflowed its banks, and with ter- 
rible cries which we heard, startling the dawn, 
even in our house, took the direction towards 
the Pretorium. Of the hundreds of thousands 
of Jews from the country, who crowd Jerusalem 
like a bee-hive at this holy season, not one slept 
that night, or was absent from that scene; and 
the noise of the tramp of that multitude shook 
the very foundations of Mount Zion, while the 
murmur of voices was like the sound of many 
waters. 

It was with difficulty that ZEmilius could pro- 
tect the Prophet in safety up the hill, and to the 
entrance of the Pretorium, while he entered with 
his prisoner, just as the sun gilded the loftiest 
pinnacle of the Temple, and the trumpets of the 
Levites sounded to prayers. 

In another letter, dear father, I will continue 
the account of his trial, the remembrance of 
which, while I now write of it, almost rekindles 
again all my love, faith, devotion and confidence 
in him; for who but a man, God-sustained, could 
have borne so meekly all his pain, insult, igno- 
miny, and shame? 


ADINA. 


LETTER XXXII. 


My Dear Father: — This is the evening of the 
Great Day of the Feast, and the second day 
since the ignominious execution of him whom 
we all believed to have been a Prophet sent from 
God — nay, more than a prophet, Christ, the Son 
of the Blessed! Yet he still lies dead in the 
tomb, and his splendid prophecies of his future 
glory, as King of Israel, have perished with him. 
Alas! that one so good, and noble, and wise, 
should have been a deceiver! Henceforth I 
have no faith in goodness. 1 have wept till I 
can weep no more. 

I will now resume my narrative of his trial; 
for I would, by showing you how like a true 
prophet he bore himself, even before his judges, 
in some degree excuse myself to you, for being 
carried away by him, and accepting him for all 
that he professed to be — the very Messias of 
Jehovah. 

It is now the close of the High Day of the 


408 THE PllINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


Feast. The slanting rays of the setting sun 
linger yet upon the gilded lances that terminate 
the hundred lesser pinnacles of the Holy House 
of the Lord. The smoke of incense curls lazily 
up the sky from its unseen altar, and the deep 
voices of the choir of Levites, increased by those 
of the tens of thousands of Judah, who crowd all 
the courts of the Temple, fall upon my ears like 
muffled thunder. I never heard anything so 
solemn. Above the Temple has hung, since the 
crucifixion yesterday, the cloud of the smoke of 
the sacrifices, and it immovably depends over all 
the city like a pall. The sun does not penetrate 
it, though its light falls upon the earth outside 
of the city; but all Jerusalem remains in shadow; 
and, shooting over the cloud, the setting sun- 
beams, catching the lofty pinnacles, make the 
gloom beneath only seem the more sombre. 
The cloud is a fearful sight, and all m.en have 
been watching it, and talking of it, and wonder- 
ing. It seems to be in the form of a pair of 
black gigantic wings, spreading a league broad 
over Jerusalem. 

There it hangs, visible from my window: but 
we are in some sort used to its dreadful presence, 
and cease to fear: but we are lost in wonder! 
This morning, when a high wind arose, blowing 
from the great sea eastward, evervone exoected 
and hoped to see the cloud sail awav before it in 
the direction of the desert. But the onlv eflFect 
the wind produced was to agitate its whole sur- 
face in tumultuous billows, while the mass still 
retained its position over the city. The shadow 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 409 


it casts is supernatural and fearful, like the dread 
obscurity which marks an eclipse of the sun. 

And this reminds me, my dear father, to men- 
tion what, in the multiplicity of subjects that 
rush to my pen for expression, I have omitted to 
state to you; and what is unaccountable, unless 
miCn have, in very truth, crucified, in Jesus, the 
very Son of God. At the time of his death, the 
sun disappeared from the mid heavens, and dark- 
ness, like that of night, followed over all the 
earth, so that the stars became visible; and the 
hills on which Jerusalem stands, shook as if an 
earthquake had moved them, and many houses 
were thrown down; and where the dead are 
buried, outside of the city, the earth and rocks 
were rent; tombs broken up, and the bodies of 
the dead were heaved to the surface, and exposed 
to all eyes; and some arose, and went alive into 
the city, where many saw ‘them, and on all sides 
shrank away from them in terror. Others of the 
dead bodies have lain all to-day, for the Jews 
dare not touch them to rebury them, for fear of 
being defiled. All this is fearful and unaccount- 
able. What will be the end of these things is 
known only to the God of Abraham. Never 
was so fearful a Passover before. Men’s faces 
are pale, and all look as if some dread calamity 
had befallen the nation. Can the death of Jesus 
be the cause of all these things? if so, he was the 
Son of God, and m.en have done unto him what- 
soever they listed. If he be the Blessed Christ, 
whom Caiaphas and the priests have had 
crucified, the retribution of God’s vengea^^^^ 
upon our city and nation is but just begun. But 


410 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


if he were the Christ, why did he not save him- 
self? 

My last letter, my dear father, closed with the 
termination of the examination of Jesus before 
Caiaphas, the High-Priest, who, not being able 
to convict him of anything save alleged blas- 
phemy, and not having the power in his hands 
to condemn him to death on this charge, re- 
solved, in order unfailingly to secure his execu- 
tion, to charge him before Pilate, the procurator, 
of sedition and treason against Caesar. But for 
the fact, that the Romans had taken the power 
of death from the Jewish nation, Jesus would 
have been then stoned to death for blasphemy, by 
order of Caiaphas ; but a more ignominious 
death, as a revolutionist and usurper of Caesar's 
crown, was in reserve for him, at the hands of 
the Roman law. 

Guarded by yRmilius, who was his true friend 
to the last, and follow^ed by the envious Caia- 
phas, the fierce Abner, the captains of the Tem- 
ple, Scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians, 
and a mixed rabble of the Jews, artisans, peas- 
ants, robbers, beggars, and all the off-scourings 
of the nation that pour into the city at the Pass- 
over season, he was led to the house of Pilate. 

The Praetorian gates were shut by the Roman 
guards, as the tumultuous crowed advanced, for 
Pilate believed the Jews were in insurrection, 
and w^as prepared to defend his palace; for so 
few^ are the troops with him in the city, that he 
has for some weeks held onlv the name of power, 
rather than the realitv. But when ^milius ex- 
plained to the captain of thf^ ofuard, that the 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 411 


Jews desired to accuse Jesus, fhe Nazarene, of 
sedition before the Procurator, he was admitted, 
with the chief men of the city, into the outer 
court of Antiochus; but none passed beyond the 
statue of Caesar, lest they should defile them- 
selves; and, at their call, Pilate came forth to 
them. When he saw the vast concourse of peo- 
ple with Caiaphas and the chief priests, and many 
rich Sadducees, and the leading men of Jerusa- 
lem in the advance, and Jesus bound, and dis- 
figured by the insults he had undergone, and 
yEmilius and his few soldiers enclosing him with 
their protecting spears, and heard the loud voices 
of the multitude, as of wolves baying for the 
blood of a defenceless lamb, he stood with 
amazement for a few moments, surveying the 
scene. 

'‘What means this, ^milius?’’ he demanded, 
of the young Prefect. "Who is this captive?’' 

"It is Jesus, called the Christ, my lord; the 
Prophet of Galilee. The Jews desire his death, 
accusing him of blaspheming their God; 
and ” 

"But I have no concern with their religion, or 
the worship of their God. Let them judge him 
after their own way,” said Pilate, indifferently, 
and with an indolent air. 

"But, most noble Roman,” said Caiaphas, ad- 
vancing to the portico on which the Procurator 
stood, "by our law he should suffer death; and 
thou knowest though we can condemn, as we 
now have done, this Galilean, we have no power 
to execute sentence of death !” 

"This is well said ; but would you have me put 


412 THE PRINCE OF THE HOCSE OF DAVID. 


one of your nation to death for blaspheming your 
God? So far as that is concerned, O priest,” 
added Pilate, smiling contemptuously, “we Ro- 
mans blaspheme him daily; for we worship him 
not, and will have nought to do with your faith. 
Let the man go! I see no cause of death in 
him!” 

He then spoke to -.^milius, and desired him to 
lead Jesus to the spot where he stood. Pilate 
then regarded him with mingled pity and inter- 
est. After surveying him a moment, he 
turned to one of his officers, and said aside: ‘'A 
forrri divine, and fit for Apollo, or any of the 
greater gods! His bearing is like a hero. Me- 
hercule! The chisel of Praxiteles, nor of Phid 
las, ne'er traced the outlines of limbs and neck 
like these. He is the very incarnation of human 
symmetry and dignity.” 

The courtiers nodded assent to these cool 
criticisms of the indolent and voluptuous Italian. 
Jesus, in the meanwhile, stood motionless before 
his judge, his eyes downcast, and full of a holy 
sadness, and his lips compressed with immov- 
able patience. Pilate now turned to him, and 
said : 

''Thou art, then, that Jesus of whom men talk 
so widely. I have had curiosity to see thee ; and 
thanks, Caiaphas, to thee, for this privilege. 
Men say, O Jesus, that thou art wiser than ordi- 
nary men; that thou canst do works of necro- 
mancy, and art skilled in the subtle mysteries of 
astrology. I would question thee upon these 
things. Wilt thou read my destiny for me in 
the stars? If thou answerest well, I will befriend 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 413 


thee, and deliver thee from thy countrymen, who 
seem to howl for thy blood. 

‘'My lord!” cried Caiaphas, furiously, ‘‘thou 
must not let this man go! He is a deceiver, and 
traitor to Caesar. I charge him and formally ac- 
cuse him, before thy tribunal, of making himself 
king of Judea!” 

To this the wdiole multitude assented, in one 
deep voice of rage and fierce denunciation, that 
shook the very walls of the Pretorium. 

“What sayest thou?” demanded Pilate; “art 
thou a king? Methinks if thou wert such, these 
Jews have little need to fear thee.” And the 
Roman cast a careless glance over the mean 
and torn apparel, and half-naked limbs of the 
Prophet. 

P)efore Jesus could reply, which he seemed 
about to do, for his lips parted as if to speak, 
there was heard a sudden commotion in the 
lower part of the court of Gabbatha (for thus the 
outer court of the Pretorium, where they were, 
is called by the Jew^s), and a loud, hoarse voice 
was heard crying: “Make way — give back! He 
is innocent.” 

All eyes turned in the direction of the arch- 
way, when a man was seen forcing his path 
towards the door of the Judgment-Hall, in front 
of which Pilate was standing, with Jesus a step 
or two below him. 

“What means this madman!” cried the Pro- 
curator. “Some of you arrest him!” 

“I am not mad — he is innocent. I have be- 
trayed the innocent blood!” cried Iscariot, for it 
was he, leaping into the space in front of the 


414 THE PKINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

portico. ''Caiaphas, I have sought thee every- 
where!'' he exclaimed, on seeing the High- 
Priest. “Take back thy money, and let this holy 
Prophet of God go free! I swear to you he is 
innocent; and if thou harm him, thou wilt be ac- 
cursed with the vengeance of Jehovah! Take 
back thy silver, for he is innocent!" 

“What is that to us? See thou to that," an- 
swered Abner, the priest, haughtily; for Caia- 
phas was too much surprised at this open ex- 
posure of his bribery of Judas to speak, his eyes 
falling under the withering glance of the Roman 
Procurator. 

“Wilt thou not release him if I give thee back 
the pieces?" cried Judas, in accents of despair, 
taking Caiaphas by the mantle, and then kneel- 
ing to him imploringly. 

But Caiaphas shook him off; Abner and the 
chief-priests also spurned him from them, 
as he approached them, when, at last, in a fren- 
zied manner, he threw himself at the knees of 
Jesus, and cried, in the most thrilling accents: 

“Oh! Master! Master! thou hast the power! 
Release thyself!" 

'‘No, Judas," answered the Prophet, shaking 
his head, and gazing down compassionately 
upon him, without one look of resentment at his 
having betrayed him, "mine hour is come. I 
may not escape. For this I came into the 
world." 

“I believed thou wouldst not suffer thyself to 
be arrested, when they should find thee in Olivet, 
my Master, or I would not have taken their 
money. It is my avarice that hath slain thee! 


THE rJHNCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 415 


Oh God! Oh God! it is too late!’' Thus crying, 
he rose and rushed, with his face hid in his cloak, 
forth from the presence of all, the crowd of men 
giving back hastily, as he advanced through their 
midst towards the outer gate. 

This extraordinary interruption produced a 
startling effect upon all present ; and it was a few 
moments before Pilate could resume his exam- 
ination of Jesus, which he did by entering the 
Judgment-Hall, and taking his seat on his 
throne. He then repeated his question, but with 
more deference than before: ^‘Art thou a king, 
then ?” 

“Thou sayest that which I am — a king,” he 
answered, with a dignity truly regal in its bear- 
ing; for all the time, bound and marred as he 
was by the hands of his enemies, pale with suffer- 
ing, and with standing a sleepless and fearful 
night upon his feet, exposed to cold and to in- 
sults, yet he had a kingly air, and there seemed 
to float about his head a divine glory, as if a sun- 
beam had been shining down upon him; yet no 
sunshine that day penetrated the dark-winged 
cloud, that hung suspended low above the city. 

“Thou, thyself, hearest him!” exclaimed Caia- 
phas, standing upon the threshold of the Judg- 
ment-Hall of the Gentile governor, which he 
would not enter for fear of defilement. 

“He hath, also, sought to prevent the people 
from paying tribute to Caesar!” cried Abner, 
shouting through an open window, for he also 
Avould not, on account of the holy feast, be pro- 
faned by entering a Gentile house. 

“He has everywhere publicly proclaimed that 


416 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

he has been ordained of God, to re-establish the 
kingdom of Judah, and overthrow the power of 
Caesar in Jerusalem,’’ added the Governor of the 
Temple, lifting his voice so as to be heard above 
the voices of the priests and scribes, who, all 
speaking together, vehemently accused him of 
many other things, which we all knew not to be 
true. 

Pilate at length obtained comparative silence, 
and then said to Jesus: 

'Tlearest thou these accusations? Hast thou 
no answer to make? What defense hast thou. 
Sir Prophet? Answerest thou nothing? Be- 
hold how manv things they witness against 
thee!” 

Pilate spoke as if he had taken a deep interest 
in Jesus, and would give him an opportunity of 
defending himself. 

''He hath perverted the nation — a most pesti- 
lent and dangerous fellow!” exclaimed Caiaphas. 
"He is a blasphemer, above all men.” 

"I have nothing to do with your religion. If 
he has blasphemed your gods, take ye him and 
judge him according to your laws,” answered 
Pilate. 

"Thou knowest, O noble Roman, that we have 
no power to execute to the death — therefore do 
v^e accuse him before thee.” 

"I am no Jew, priest! What care I for your 
domestic and religious quarrels. He hath done 
nothing, that I can learn, for which the laws of 
Imperial Rome, which now prevail here, can ad- 
judge him to death. I, therefore, command his 
release, as having done nothing worthy of cap- 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 417 


ital punishment, ^milius, unbind thy prisoner, 
and let him go. I find no fault in him, that he 
should be longer held in bonds.’’ 

Upon this the J ews sent up a cry of unmingled 
ferocity and vindictiveness. Caiaphas, forget- 
ting his fear of defilement, advanced several steps 
into the Judgment-Hall, and shaking his open 
hands at Pilate, cried: 

“If thou lettest this m.an go, thou art not 
Caesar’s friend. Thou art in league with him. 
He that sets himself up as a king, in the wide 
bounds of Caesar’s dominions, wars against Caesar, 
as well at Jerusalem as at Rome. If thou re- 
lease this man, I and my nation will accuse thee 
to thy master, Tiberius, of favoring this Gali- 
lean’s sedition. He hath stirred up all Jewry, 
from Galilee to this place, and yet thou findest 
no fault with him!” 

When Pilate heard the name of Galilee, he 
asked if the prisoner were a Galilean? Upon 
being answered in the affirmative by the excited 
priest, he said to ^milius: 

“Plold — loose not his bonds just now! Herod, 
the Tetrarch of Galilee, last nigfit came up to 
the Passover feast of his God, and is now at the 
old Maccabean palace, with his retinue. Con- 
duct your prisoner to him, and let Herod judge 
his own subjects. Present him with this signet 
in token of amity. Tell him. I will not interfere 
wTh his nrivileges, and that I desire he would 
take and juHge the man as if he were in his own 
tetrarchate.” 

The chief priests and scribes now shouted wi^-h 
approbation at this decision, for they began to 


418 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


fear that Pilate would release him ; and they knew 
that the vacillating and reckless Herod would do 
whatsoever would gain popular applause. 

'‘If he sends us to Herod with him/’ said the 
priest Abner, "his doom is sealed — his blood is 
ours!” And the multitude without hailed the 
reappearance of ^milius, and his unresisting 
captive, from the Judgment-Hall, and followed 
them across the marble pavement of Gabbatha, 
into the street, crying: 

"7'o Herod! — to the Tetrarch of Galilee with 
him !” 

But Caiaphas, frowning and dissatisfied, re- 
mained behind, and Pilate, glad to get rid of the 
delicate affair of condemning an innocent man, 
to gratify the envy of the Jews, by sending him 
to his enemy, Herod, smilingly came out, and 
spoke to the gloomy High-Priest: 

"Thou wert something sharp upon me just 
now, my lord Caiaphas. Thou knowest I can 
condemn men only for crimes committed against 
the laws of the Empire. This Jesus has done 
nothing worthy of death, were he called before a 
tribunal in the capital of the world itself, Caesar 
his judge.” 

"Noble Governor,” answered Caiaphas, stop- 
ping in his angry strides up and down the por- 
phyry floor of the outer portico, "thou forgettest 
that I brought him not before thee on this charge 
of blasphemy alone; but for sedition. By the 
altar of God! this is a crime known to thy laws I 
wot !” 

"True. You charge a ^^oiine, defenceless, 
quiet, powerless man, destitute of money, men, 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID 


419 


or arms, an obscure fisherman or carpenter of 
Galilee, of setting up a throne and kingdom 
against that of Tiberius Caesar, the ruler of the 
earth! The idea is absurd. It should be treated 
only with ridicule. So will Herod say, when he 
understands the afiair.’' 

“So will not Caesar say, my lord,” answered 
Caiaphas, with a sneer upon his curled lip; “if 
you let this man go (for Herod will not, surely, 
accept your courtesy, and judge him within your 
jurisdiction), the Jewish nation will draw up a 
memorial, accusing you to the Emperor, of pro- 
tecting treason. You will be summoned by the 
Senate to answer the charge; and though you 
should succeed in clearing yourself, you will have 
lost your government, given to another, and for 
your fair name, you will live, ever after, under 
CaesaCs suspicions!” 

Here the High Priest, said my Uncle Amos, 
who heard all that passed, looked with concen- 
trated maliciousness into the eyes of the Italian 
ruler, who turned pale, and bit his lips with vex- 
ation. 

“My lord priest, thou art bent, I see, on this 
innocent man’s death. I am no Jew, to under- 
stand how he has drawn upon himself thy terrible 
wrath, and that of thy nation. It must have 
been something I am incapable of comprehend- 
ing. I will see what Herod will say, who, being 
a Jew, is familiar with your customs. But it 
seems to me, O Priest, that the testimony of the 
wretched man whom, I see, you bribed to betrav 
his master into your power, would now release 
him!” 


420 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


Pilate now reseated himself upon his throne. 

While he spoke, a youth threw himself from 
his horse, at the door of the court, and drew near 
the Procurator. 

“What aileth thee, Alexander?” demanded 
.Pilate, on seeing blood on his temples, and that 
he seemed faint. 

“But a trifle now, my good lord. I was 
thrown from my horse, who was startled at a 
burning torch, lying on the ground; and was de- 
tained at a hospitable house until I was able to 
remount, which brings me hither late.” 

“And why come at all? What news sends my 
fair wife, that she should despatch you from my 
house in Bethany at this early hour? No evil 
tidings, boy?” 

“None, my lord — save this note.” 

The Greek page then handed his master a 
small roll of rose-tinted parchment, tied with 
scarlet thread. He cut the knot with his dagger, 
and reading the contents became deathly pale. 
Caiaphas watched him closely, as if he would 
read, reflected in his eyes, the contents of the 
note which had so deeply moved him. 

“Caiaphas,” said the Procurator, “this prisoner 
must be released!” 

“It is either his destruction, proud Roman, or 
thine!” answered the High-Priest, turning and 
Avalking haughtily away. 

Pilate looked after him with a troubled air, and 
then re-entered the Hall of Judgment, and seat- 
ing himself upon his throne, again read the 
parchment, 

“ 'Have thou nothing to do with this just 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


421 


man/ he read, half aloud, 'for I have suffered 
many things this day in a dream because of him !’ 
‘The very gods seem to take sides with this ex- 
traordinary young prisoner,’ he exclaimed, 
‘Would to Jove that Herod may have sense 
enough to release him, and relieve me of this un- 
pleasant business. One might better keep in 
subjection a province of painted and savage 
Scythians, than these fierce- Jews. I should be 
well rid of my Procuratorship ; but I will not lose 
it by accusation from them! I must save both 
jesus and myself!” 

While he was yet speaking and musing with 
himself, unconsciously, aloud, so that those who 
stood about him, among whom was El Nathan, 
the brother of the maid Mirza, who dwells in our 
household, and from whom I received this por- 
tion of the narrative, there was heard a great 
noise of voices, in the direction of the Maccabean 
Palace; and as it grew nearer and more distinct, 
Pilate started up, and cried: 

"It is as I feared — Herod gives them no satis- 
faction, and they come again to me! Oh, that 
the gods would give me wisdom and nerve for 
this trying hour, so that I condemn not the inno- 
cent, nor bring myself into the power of an ac- 
cusation to Caesar, from these wicked Jews!” 

At this moment the multitude, increased, if it 
were possible, in numbers and in vindictiveness, 
reappeared, pressing Jesus before them. Thi^ 
time hewas alone, Ttmilius havingh^^^n separated 
from him in the palace, and kept by the crowd 
from rejoining him. He was now unbound, and 
upon his head was a crown of thorns, piercing 


422 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


the tender temples, till the blood trickled all 
down his face; upon his shoulders was clasped 
an old purple royal robe, once worn by Herod, 
in his state of petty king; and his hand held a 
reed, as a sceptre; and as he walked along, the 
bitterest among the priests, as well as the vilest 
of the common fellows, bent the knee before him, 
crying : 

“Hail! King Jesus! Hail, Royal Nazarene! 
Allhail!’^ 

Others went before him, carrying mock 
standards — while others, acting as heralds, ran, 
shouting: 

'' 'Make way for the King of the Jews. Do 
homage, all men, to Caesar! This is the great 
Tiberius, Emperor of Nazareth! Behold his 
glittering crown! Mark his royal robes, and see 
his dazzling sceptre! Bend the knee — bend the 
knee, men of Judah, before your king!” 

When Pilate saw this spectacle, and heard 
these words, he trembled, and was heard to say: 

"Either this man or I must perish! These 
Jews are become madmen with rage, and de- 
mand a sacrifice. One of us must fall!” 

Oh ! that I could write all I feel : but I am com- 
pelled, my dear father, to end here. 

Your affectionate child, 

ADINA. 


LETTER XXXIII. 


My Dear Father: — In this letter, which I 
write in the solitude of my chamber, while all in 
the house have sought repose, will be continued 
my account of the trial, if such it can be called, 
of Jesus. I have already shown you how he 
was first taken to Annas, and thence dragged 
before Caiaphas, who, unable to execute upon 
him the sentence of death, sent him to the Pro- 
curator Pilate, charged with conspiracy; and he, 
shrinking from condemning a man whom he knew 
to be innocent of any crime, and yet fearing to 
release him, lest he should be impeached by the 
Jews to Caesar, sought to shift the responsibility 
upon Herod, in whose tetrarchy lay Nazareth, 
where Jesus ordinarily dwelt. 

John, the faithful, and yet trusting disciple 
whom Jesus loved, still kept near his captive 
Master, and sought to cheer him by affectionate 
looks, and, where he could do it with safety, by 
kind acts. More than once he was rudely 


424 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

thrust aside by the fiercer Jews, and once several 
men seized upon him, and would have done him 
violence, as a follower of the Prophet, if Caia- 
phas, to whom John is remotely related, and 
who knows him well, had not interposed. In- 
deed, it was through this protecting influence of 
the High-Priest, that the disciple was allowed to 
remain near Jesus. And while John was thus 
doing all that he could to soften the asperity of 
his friend’s treatment, we at home were exerting 
ourselves to soothe the maternal solicitude of 
Mary of Nazareth, his noble and heart-broken 
mother, whom with difficulty we could restrain 
from rushing to the palace, and casting herself at 
the feet of the Procurator, to implore him to 
interpose to save her son — her only son — from 
the hands of his own countrymen! Thus a two- 
fold scene of anguish, at the palace and in the 
house of Rabbi Amos, was passing. Mary, 
Martha, and Lazarus, were also with us, having 
come into the city as soon as my cousin Mary’s 
letter reached them; and, besides, there were with 
us four or five of the disciples, who had come in, 
one by one, secretly, for fear of being seized by 
the Jews, and were anxiously waiting here tlie 
result, and firmly believing that Jesus would yet 
free himself by his divine and miraculous power. 
At every approach of a footfall at the door, they 
eagerly cried: ^Tt is the Lord!” But ah, in vain 
their hopes and all our anticipations! 

Herod, the Tetrarch of Galilee, who occupied 
the old palace of the Maccabees, which Alex- 
ander, the Macedonian, had built for Seleucus, 
was breaking his fast with fruit and wine, at a 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF HAVID. 


425 


table overlooking, by a window, the street of the 
Gentiles, when the noise of the advancing thou- 
sands of the Jews, who were bringing Jesus be- 
fore him, reached his ear. He started from the 
table, and said: 

'These people are surely up in insurrection 
against Pilate!” 

“No, great Prince,” answered the lad Abel, his 
cup-bearer, who is a cousin to John, and has told 
me many of these things; “they have taken the 
Nazarene Prophet, Jesus, and are trying him for 
sedition.” 

“This uproar proceeds from no trial, but a wild 
mob in motion, and they seem to be approach- 
ing,” was his answer to him. 

As Herod spoke, he went to the lattice of his 
basilica, and beheld the head of the multitude, 
just emerging into the street, from that which 
descended from the hill of the Pretorium. At 
first he could not make out of the confused mass 
any individual objects. 

“There are spears and Romans in the van — 
and I see priests and peasants mixed together. 
I now see the cause of all the tumult — a mere 
youth, bound and soiled, and pale as marble! 
What, sirs, this is not the Great Prophet, of 
whose fame I have heard?” he said, turning to 
his officers. “What mean they by bringing him 
hither? Yet, Per Bacchom! I am glad to get 
a sight of him!” 

The crowd, like the swelling Nile, flowed 
towards the gates, roaring and chafing like its 
mighty cataracts, so that there was something 
fearfully sublime in this display of the power of 


426 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAYID. 


human passions, ^milius, with difficulty, suc- 
ceeded in getting his prisoner into the piazza o? 
the palace, so closely pressed the crowd of Jews 
around and upon him. At length he stood with 
him before Herod, in his banquet-hall, at the 
further end of which was a dais, or throne, where 
the Tetrarch sat down, while the Jews filled all 
the vast room with a billowy sea of eager faces. 

^'Most royal Prince,’’ said ./P^milius, kneeling 
before Herod, and presenting the signet, “I am 
sent by his excellency, Pontius Pilate, the Roman 
Procurator of Judea, to bring before you this 
person accused of blasphemy! Ignorant of your 
customs and faith, the Governor desires that you, 
who are of his nation, would exaimne him: and, 
moreover Plate, learning that he is a Galilean, 
and a subject of your jurisdiction, courteously 
declines interfering with your authority.’’ 

When Herod Antipas heard delivered so 
courteous a message from the Procurator, with 
whom he had been some time at enmity, partly 
on account of Herod’s cruel murder of John the 
Baptizer, whom Pilate thought much of, he was 
pleased. 

''Say thou. Sir Knight, to his Excellency, the 
most noble and princely Governor of Judea, that 
I appreciate his extraordinary civility, and that 
nothing will give me more pleasure, in return 
for such dignified courtesy, than to be considered 
by him his friend: and that I regret any occur- 
rence that has hitherto estranged us. Convey 
to him my assurances of the high estimation in 
which he has ever been held by me.’’ 

Htmilius, upon receiving this answer, arose, 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 427 


and bowed, and then said, with the boldness 

which characterizes him: 

‘‘Most noble and royal king, I pray you heed 
not the charges of these Jews, touching this 
prisoner. They have conceived against him a 
bitter hatred, without just cause. He has done 
nothing worthy of death ! Pilate could find 
nothing, whatsoever, in him deserving of the at- 
tention of the dignity of a Roman tribunal.’’ 

“Let thy prisoner fear not,” answered Herod, 
regarding Jesus attentively, as he stood before 
him, in the calm majesty of innocence. “I will 
not take Pilate’s prerogative of judgment out of 
his hand, so handsomelyTendered to me. If he 
hath blasphemed, Mehe^^ule! the Pligh-Priest, 
the priests of the Temple itself,” he added, laugh- 
ing, “do that every day of their lives ; for religion 
is at a low ebb among the hypocritical knaves. 
I have nothing to do with their charges of blas- 
phemy, or I would have them all stoned to death, 
without mercy. I will first see some miracles 
wrought by thy far-famed prisoner, good ^mil- 
ius, and then send him back to my noble friend 
Pontius, whom his gods prosper in all things.” 

Herod, then fixing his eyes curiously upon 
Jesus, who had stood silently before him, seem- 
ingly the only unmoved person in the vast con- 
course, heaving and murmuring around him, 
said to the soldiers: 

“Unbind him! Some one bring water, to re- 
move the blood from his cheeks and beard. Bv 
the staff of Jacob! he hath been ronehly handled. 
Men of Israel, it becomes r>ot such as you to do 
violence to a man before he is condemned; and 


4:28 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


then if it be proved he have done aught deserv- 
ing chastisement, let the law punish him. This 
man is a Galilean, and I am bound to see him 
have justice, and to protect him from wrong.'"’ 

While he was speaking, water was brought, 
and John, with a napkin, wiped away the stains 
of blood, which flowed from the wound on his 
temple, inflicted by the staves of the Jews; and, 
also, removed the spots from his princely beard 
and golden hair. He also arranged his mantle 
about his form. Herod regarded, with interest 
and looks of compassion, the pale and divinely- 
serene countenance of the prisoner; and seemed 
struck with the indescribable majesty of his as- 
pect and bearing, and the purity of soul that 
beamed from his holy eyes. 

^‘Art thou the Nazarene, Jesus, of whom I 
liave heard so much?’’ he asked, in deferential 
tones. 

‘‘T am he,” was the quiet answer of the captive. 

“Then gladly do I meet thee; for I have long 
time desired to see thee; and I would fain behold 
thee do some miracle. Men say thou canst heal 
the sick, restore the maimed, and raise the deadf 
Does rumor belie thy powers? What! Art 
thou silent? Dost thou not know who it is that 
speaks to thee? Come hither, fellow;” he called 
to a Samaritan muleteer, who stood in the crowd, 
whose oval face and Jewish eves showed him to 
be both of Assyrian and Tsraelitish descent, 
whose arm had been taken off bv a sword, in a 
contest with Barabbas and his robbers: “Come 
hither, and let this Prophet prove his power and 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 429 


mission, by restoring thy arm whole, like as the 
other!'’ 

The man alertly came forward, and all eyes 
were directed eagerly upon him, and upon Jesus; 
but he thrust the stump of his arm, by Herod’s 
order, in vain before Jesus. The eyes .of the 
Prophet moved not from their meditative look 
upon the ground. 

'‘Art thou mocking us, thou false Christ!” 
cried the Tetrarch angrily; “wilt thou neither 
speak nor act? If thou art not an impostor, do 
a miracle before us all, and we will believe in 
thee!” 

Jesus remained motionless, yet with a firm and 
majestic countenance, that made him look more 
kingly than Herod. 

“He is a deceiver! He performed his works 
through Beelzebub, who has now deserted him!” 
cried the priests. 

“Nazarene,” said Herod, “I am a Jew also. If 
thou wilt prove to me, by a sign that I will 
name, that thou art the Christ, I will not only 
become thy follower, but will let thee go free. 
Your silence is an insult to my power. I warn 
thee that my patience is not divine — I make no 
pretensions to superior sanctity. Thou seest 
yonder marble statue of Judas Maccabeus. 
Command the sword in its hand to wave thrice 
above its helmeted hepd, and I will bend the 
knee to thee! Nay — wilt not? I will give thee 
something easier to do! Seest thou the carved 
pomegranates in the entablature of the wah^ 
Bid the one which hangs over this column to 


430 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


turn into ripe, natural fruit, and fall at my feet! 
No?” 

*‘He has no power — his friend Beelzebub hath 
given him up into our hands! Death to the 
necromancer! were the words which now made 
the hah tremble. 

“He is an accursed blasphemer! He would 
destroy the Temple! He calls himself the Son 
of God! He breaks the Sabbath-day! He is a 
foe to our religion!” was shouted by Abner, the 
priests, and the scribes. 

“See the whirlwind thou hast raised, O Naza- 
rene!” cried Herod, rising; “if thou art a Proph- 
et, no harm can they do thee; and if thou art 
an impostor, if they kill thee, thou deservest thy 
fate! I give thee up into their hands! Save 
thyself, if thou be the Christ!” 

Scarcely had Herod spoken these words, re- 
linquishing Jesus into the hands of his foes, than, 
with a savage cry, as the famished jackals in the 
desert rush upon their prey, they rushed upon 
their victim. yEmilius could not protect him: 
nay, some of Herod’s soldiers, whom the Jews 
had half-intoxicated with wine, joined them as 
soon as they saw their master Antipas had cast 
him off, and began to scoff and mock him, and 
one of them thrust a helmet on his head, and 
pulled the visor down over his eves! 

“Nay,” said Herod, on seeing: this, “as he calls 
himself a king, crown him, and robe him rovallv, 
and place a sceptre in his hand: and vonder block 
will make him a proper throne! We must show 
Pilate how we Jews serve men who usurp the 
power of his master CcCsar!” 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 431 


No words could have better pleased the people, 
save such as would have sentenced Jesus to 
death. With a glad response, they began to put 
into execution the hint he had so wickedly given 
them. One of his men of war brought a cast-off 
robe of purple, which belonged to Herod, and, 
with loud shouts of laughter, and coarse jests, 
they robed him in it, unresisting as the lamb 
wreathed for the sacrifice. Some one then un- 
twined the creeping thorn, which grew on the 
outer wall, and twisting it into the shape of a 
crown, handed it over the heads of the men to 
Abner, whose hatred against Jesus proceeded 
from the well-known fact, that among the 
changers of money, whom he drove from the 
Temple, was a younger brother, who was mak- 
ing, by his business, great gains for the ava- 
ricious priest; who, therefore, never forgave this 
act of the Prophet. 

When Abner saw the crown, he smiled with 
malicious gratification, and nodding approvingly 
to the man, said: 

'‘This is what we needed! Nothing could 
have done better;” and with his two hands he 
placed it upon the head of Jesus, pressing, 
cruelly, the sharp thorns into his temples, till the 
blood trickled from a dozen wounds. Jesus 
made no complaint, but the pain forced large, 
bright tears from his eyes, which rolled down his 
cheeks, and fell along the purple robe like glit- 
tering pearls. 

"Here is also a sceptre for our king!” ex- 
claimed the man with one arm, using this one to 
reach a piece of reed, from which a Passover- 


432 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


lamb has been slung, to those who were arraying 
Jesus. This was thrust into his grasp, and he held 
it patiently. His submission, his silence, his en- 
durance of pain, his constant dignity, the ma- 
jestic indifference which he seemed to manifest 
to all their insults and tortures, brought tears 
into the eyes of ^T^milius; and John, unable to 
benefit his dear Master, kneeling at his feet, 
bathed them with his flowing tears, nor stirred, 
though men trampled upon him, and smote him; 
but he desired to suffer with his Master, and, as 
he said to me, would gladly have borne in his 
stead all his indignities. Even Herod stood 
amazed at such God-like forbearance, and said 
to his chief-captain: “If this man is not the Son 
of God, he is worthy to be deified. Such sub- 
lime patience is more than human — it is divine! 
You Romans, ^milius, would make a hero of 
such a man, and when he died worship him as a 
god!” 

“Then, mighty Prince, why suffer him to be 
thus entreated?” asked ^^milius. 

“It is his own choice. I have entreated him 
fairly ! I asked of him but one of those miracles 
men say he works, as proof of his Messiahship, 
and he works me none — shows me no sign! The 
inference is, that he can do none, and, therefore 
is an impostor. Else why not prove to me his 
pretensions by working a miracle?” 

“Most roval Prince,” said Abner, aloud, thou 
now beholdest the 'Kin^ of the Jews.’ crowned, 
rohed. and sceptred!” and he nointed to Jesns. 

“Hail! most nnissant and notent soverein’^ 
Galilee! Hail! King of Fishermen!” cried 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 433 


Herod, mocking him, and seemingly greatly 
amused at the jest. “If thou wilt tell me in what 
part of cloud-land thy capital lies, I and my court 
will pay thee a visit. Doubtless, thou hast a 
brave army of Galilee fishermen, and a mighty 
fleet of fishing' boats! Hail! powerful king! 
What, fellows, men-at-arms, and all ye gapers! 
bend ye not the knee before this royal person- 
age? Do homage to your king!” 

Upon this all who were around him kneeled, 
and some, mockingly, prostrated themselves be- 
fore. the Prophet; but he stood so very like a 
monarch, that others, who were about to mock 
him, refrained; and Herod even turned away, 
with a troubled look, saying, abruptly: 

“Take him back to the Procurator!” 

Once more the vast multitude were in motion, 
and, with cries and insults, escorted Jesus from 
the presence of Plerod, back to the Pretorium, 
as I have already stated in my previous letter. 

When Pilate beheld their return in this man- 
ner, and understood how that Herod declined 
exercising his privilege in the matter, he was 
greatly vexed. When, once more, Jesus stood 
before him, arrayed, as I have described, in the 
gorgeous robe and crown, Pilate, turning 
towards Caiaphas and the priests, said, angrily: 

“What more will ye have? Why bring this 
man again before me? Ye say he perverteth the 
people. Behold, I have examined him before 
vou, and have found no fault in him. You 
proved nothing by your witnesses, touching 
those things whereof ye accuse him. I then sent 
you with him to Herod, and lo! the Tetrarch of 


434 THE PRINXE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


Galilee, one of your own nation, finds nought in 
him worthy of death! Doubtless he has said 
something about not paying tribute, and de- 
serves for this a light punishment, but not death. 
I will chastise him, and charge him that he be 
more cautious, and let him go.^’ ’ 

“If thou let this man go, thou art an enemy to 
"riberius,"’ answered Caiaphas; ‘'see thou what a 
commotion he has raised in the city? If he is 
released there will be a revolution, and Caesar 
will come and take away our place and nation. 
Is it better that all Judea should perish than one 
man? It is expedient that either he die or the 
people perish. Nothing less than his life will 
now be received.’’ 

‘‘In the name of Olympian Jove, O Nazarene, 
what hast thou done to incense these Jews? If 
thou art their king, prove it to them or to me,’^ 
demanded Pilate, greatly troubled. 

“My kingdom is not of the earth,” answered 
Jesus. “If my kingdom were an earthly one, 
then would my servants fight, that I should not 
be delivered to the Jews; but my kingdom is not 
of this world.” 

“Then thou confessest thyself a king!” ex- 
claimed Pilate, with surprise. 

“Thou sayest that which I am — a King. To 
this end was I born, and for this cause came I 
into the world, that I should bear witness to the 
truth.” 

“Truth! What is truth?’’ asked the Roman: 
but, without waiting for Jesus to renlv, and see- 
ing that the Jews outside the Hall were becom- 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 435 


ing more and more impatient, he hurriedly went 
out to them, and said: 

‘‘1 find in the prisoner no fault at all. But ye 
have a custom, that I should at the Passover 
pardon a criminal out of prison, as an act of 
clemency, in honor of the day. Will ye, there- 
fore, that I pardon and release unto you this 
King of the Jews?’’ 

No sooner had Pilate made this proposal, than 
they all, with one voice, and furious gestures, 
cried: 

“No! no! — not this man! We will not have 
him released. We will have the vilest male- 
factor thy prison holds, rather than he !” 

“Whom shall I then release unto you?” de- 
manded Pilate, in a tone of disappointment. 

“Barabbas! Barabbas!” was echoed, and re- 
echoed, by ten thousand voices. 

This Barabbas, dear father, is the same fierce 
bandit, of whom I have spoken in one of my 
earlier letters, two years ago. He has recently 
been taken captive, while heading a revolt, in the 
hill country south, and lies now under condem- 
nation of death, and was on that day to have 
been crucified, with two of his lieutenants. But, 
at the loud demand of the people, Pilate was 
forced to send to the officer of the wards, to let 
him go free; and it was but a short time before 
he was escorted from his cell to the front of the 
Pretorium in great pomp, and became presently 
ore of the most active in hostility to Jesus. 

Pilate, therefore, finding that the Jews would 
be content with nothing less than the blood of 
Jesus, returned, sorrowfully, into the Judgment- 


436 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


Hall, where he had left him seated upon the 
lower step of his throne; for he could no longer 
stand for weariness, and for the heavy treatment 
he had undergone. 

The residue of my narrative of the condemna- 
tion and crucifixion, I will give in the morning, 
dear father. 

Your loving daughter, 

ADINA. 


LETTER XXXIV. 


My Dearest Father: — I now resume the nar- 
rative of the condemnation, or rather sentence, 
of Jesus, after he had been brought a second 
time before Pilate. The Procurator, finding 
that the Jews would have the Prophet's life, and 
that, if he resisted further, he, himself, would be 
reported to Caesar, as protecting a revolutionist 
and usurper, vacillated, and showed an indecision 
that became not a Roman Governor. His sense 
of justice revolted at sacrificing, to the hatred of 
the people, an innocent man, against whom no 
accusation had been proven; and he feared for 
his own name and fame, should Tiberius, who is 
always jealous of his Oriental Governors, believe 
their statement of the case. 

Jesus, as I stated in my last, had, from weak- 
ness. sunk upon the steps of the throne of the 
Hall of Judgment. John knelt by him, bathing 
the wounds in his temples, from which he had 
boldly taken the crown of thorns. When Pilate, 


438 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


after giving the order to release the robber-chief^ 
Barabbas, came again where Jesus was, he 
stopped, and regarded him attentively, and with 
an expression of sorrow and admiration. The 
youthful beauty, the dignity, even in his humilia- 
tion, the patience, and air of innocence, that en- 
veloped him, deeply impressed him. At length 
he spoke: 

“If thou be indeed a god, O heroic young man, 
as thy patience would seem to prove thee to be, 
thou needest not to fear these blood-hounds, that 
bay so fiercely for thy blood. If thou art an im- 
postor and a seditionist, thou verily meritest 
death. I regard thee but as a youthful enthus- 
iast, and would let thee go free; but I cannot 
protect thee. My soldiers are reduced, by send- 
ing them to garrison Jericho and Gaza, to less 
than three hundred men; and of these enraged 
Jews there are half a million in the city. It is 
only by moral force, and show of power, that I 
keep them in subjection. If I release thee, not 
only thou, but all my troops, will be massacred; 
for we are but a handful in their grasp. Tell me 
truly, art thou the son of Jupiter!’’ 

When Jesus, instead of replying, remained 
silent, the Procurator said, sternly: 

''What, speakest thou not unto me? Knowest 
thou not that I have power to crucify thee as a 
malefactor, and power, if I choose to meet the 
risk, to release thee?” 

Jesus looked up, and calmly said: 

"Thou couldst have no power against me ex- 
cept it were given thee from above. Therefore, 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 439 


he that delivered me into thy hand hath the 
greater sin!'' 

And as Jesus said these words in an impres- 
sive tone, he glanced fixedly at Caiaphas, who 
was looking in at the door, as if designating the 
High -Priest. Upon this Pilate pressed his 
hands against his forehead, and paced several 
times, to and fro, before the Judgment-seat, as if 
greatly troubled. Caiaphas seeing his irresolu- 
tion, cried, harshly: 

“If thou let this self-styled king go, O Gover- 
nor, thou art not Caesar's friend! Our whole 
nation charges him, before you, with setting him- 
self up to be our king over us, when Tiberius is 
the only king to whom we can owe allegiance. 
Release the Usurper, if thou darest, and I would 
not give two brass mites for thy head!" 

Pilate’s brow grew dark. He took Jesus by 
the hand, and leading him to the portal, and 
pointing to him, said aloud: 

‘‘Behold your king! What will you that I 
should do with him! Looks he like a man to be 
feared?" 

“We have no king but Caesar!" 

“Crucify him!" 

“To the Cross with the false Prophet!" 

“Death to the Usurper! Long live Caesar! 
Long live Tiberius! Death to the Nazarene! 
To the Cross! — to the Cross with him! Let him 
be crucified!" 

These were the various cries from ten thou- 
sand throats, that responded to the Procurator’s 
address. Impressed, as he has since said, with 
the innocence of Jesus, and remembering the 


440 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


warning message sent him by his young and 
beautiful wife, who held great influence over him, 
he trembled with indecision. 

“Why will you compel me to crucify an inno- 
cent man? What evil hath he done?'’ 

“Crucify him! Crucify him!” was the deafen- 
ing response. 

“I will chastise him, and let him go!” 

“At your peril, release him, O Roman!” ex- 
claimed Caiaphas, in a menacing tone. “Either 
he or you must die this day for the people. 
Blood must flow to appease this tempest!” 

The tumult was now appalling. The voices 
of the chief priests and people kept up a cease- 
less uproar, calling for his crucifixion; and in 
vain Pilate appealed to their humanity and jus- 
tice. They drowned his voice with their own; 
and his gesticulations for silence only increased 
the roar of human whirlwind. 

When the Procurator saw that he could pre- 
vail nothing, but that rather the tumult increased, 
he called for water, which was brought to him in 
a basin, by his page; and, in the presence of the. 
whole multitude, he washed his hands, saying: 

“I am innocent of the blood of this just per- 
son. See ye to it, oh Jews, ye and your High- 
Priest!” 

“His blood be upon us, and on our children,” 
answered Caiaphas; and all the people re-echoed 
his language: 

“Aye: on us and on our children, rest the guilt 
of his blood !” 

“Be it so,” answered the Procurator, with a 
dark brow, and face pale as the dead. “Take ye 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 441 


him and crucify him, and may the God he wor- 
ships judge you, not me, for this day’s deeds.” 

Pilate then turned away from them, and said 
to Jesus, who stood unmoved, with the same 
heroic and celestial serenity which he had mani- 
fested throughout the storm raging about him: 

“Thou art, I feel, an innocent man; but thou 
seest that I cannot save thee! I know thou wilt 
forgive me, and that death can have no terrors 
for one of fortitude like thine!” 

Jesus made him no answer; and Pilate, turning 
from him, with a sad countenance, walked slowly 
away, and left the Judgment-Hall. As he did 
so, one of his captains said to him: 

^‘Shall I scourge him, according to the Roman 
law, which commands all who are sentenced to 
die to be scourged?” 

‘'Do as the law commands,” answered the 
weak-minded Roman. 

His disappearance was the signal for a general 
rush towards Jesus, chiefly of the rabble, who, in- 
different about Gentile defilement, crossed the 
threshold into the hall, which Caiaphas and the 
chief priests had refrained from doing. These 
base fellows seized Jesus, and, aided by the men- 
at-arms, dragged him forth into the outer or 
common hall. Here they stripped him, and, by 
order of the chief captain, scourged him with 
forty strines, save one. They then re-arrayed his 
lacerated and bleeding form in the torn, kingly 
robe, which John had removed when he had 
taken off his crown ; but now they replaced both 
the crown and the robe, and once more went 


442 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


through the mockery of homage, kneeling, and 
hailing him, ‘'King of the Jews.'' 

All this Jesus still bore with godlike majesty. 
Not a murmur escaped his lips; not a glance of 
resentment kindled the holy depths of his eyes, 
which, from time to time, were uplifted to 
Heaven, as if he sought for help and strength 
from thence. 

Not only ^milius, but John, was now sepa- 
rated from him; but my uncle, the Rabbi, stood 
near, in order to see what would follow; and to 
use his influence, if possible, to induce the chief 
priests to abandon the idea of killing him. 

“Good Rabbi," said Jesus to him, “let them do 
with me what they list! My Father hath given 
me into their hands. I die, but not for myself; 
I can keep or yield up my life, as I will." 

“Oh, then, dear Master!" cried my uncle, “why 
not save thyself? Why shouldst thou suffer all 
this, and death also, if thou hast the power over 
thy life?" 

“If I die not, then were ye all dead! The 
Scripture must be fulfilled, which spoke of me: 
^He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.' " 

Here Rabbi Amos could speak no more to 
him, for the crowd dragged his off out of the 
court of Gabbatha, and so down the steep street, 
in the direction of the gate of the kings, that 
leads to the Hill of Calvary, the public place of 
execution, where the Romans, since they have 
been masters of Jerusalem, have executed crimi- 
nals by their cruel mode of crucifying. At the 
gate, a Roman Centurion took him into custody, 


THE FKINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAYID. 443 


under arms, and escorted him, followed by the 
vast multitude. 

Rabbi Amos accompanied the multitude, keep- 
ing as nigh to Jesus as the Roman soldiers, who 
marched on each side of him, would let him. 
On the way, as they crossed the open space 
where once stood the palace and statue of Antio- 
chus Seleucus, the eyes of the Rabbi were at- 
tracted by the cries and pointed fingers of many 
of the people, to the body of a man lying dead at 
the foot of a withered fig-tree. Upon drawing 
nearer, he recognized the features of Judas, who 
had so basely betrayed his Master. The spec- 
tacle which he exhibited was revolting, and hor- 
rid to look upon. About his neck was wound a 
fragment of his girdle, the other half being still 
secured to a limb of the tree, showing how he 
had met his fate. The cord had broken by his 
weight, and being a fleshy man, he had, most 
dreadful to relate, in the fall burst asunder, and 
the hungry dogs that infest the suburbs, were 
feeding upon his bowels. With cries of horror, 
several of the Jews drove them away, and the 
Roman Centurion, whom Pilate had ordered to 
crucify Jesus for the Jews, directed four of his 
soldiers to convey the hideous corpse from sight, 
and see that it was either burned or buried. 

'Tf,” said Rabbi Amos to John, who now re- 
joined him, ^‘if the accusers of Jesus are to be 
punished like this man, this will be a fearful day 
for the men of Jerusalem. Judas, the betrayer, 
dies before his victim dies, and by his own hand. 
This looks like Divine retribution, and, as if 


444 THE rUlNCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


Jesus were, in truth, the favored Prophet of the 
Plighest.” 

By this time, the people, who were dragging 
Jesus to death, were got out of the gate, where a 
cross of heavy cypress was obtained by the Cen- 
turion, from a yard near the lodge, wherein stood 
several new crosses, awaiting whatsoever victims 
Roman justice might, from day to day, condemn 
to death. Two others were also brought out, 
and laid upon the shoulders of two men, the lieu- 
tenants of Barabbas, who were also that day to 
be crucified. The released Barabbas was himself 
present, and the most active, in laying the cross 
upon the back of the already faint and drooping 
Jesus. 

By the time the great crowd had passed the 
gate, it was known throughout all Jerusalem, 
that Pilate had given orders for the crucifixion of 
the Nazarene Prophet; and, with one mind, all 
wdio had known him, and believed in him, or 
loved him, left their houses, to go out after him, 
to witness his crucifixion; for, I forgot to say, 
that Caiaphas had promised, if Jesus were de- 
livered up, his followers should not be molested. 
Therefore, every person went out of the gate 
towards Calvary. Mary, his mother, my cousin 
Mary, Martha and her sister, Lazarus, John, and> 
Peter, and Thomas, and some women, his rela- 
tives from Galilee, and many others also went. 
When we had got without the walls, we seemed 
to leave a deserted city behind us. As far as the 
eye could embrace, there was a countless multi- 
tude moving along the vast space, between the 
Gate of the Kings and Mount Calvary. Jesus 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


445 


was borne in front, where we could now and then 
catch the gleam of a Roman spear. We hast- 
ened to get near him, and, with difficulty, made 
our way to the head of the throng; both foes and 
friends giving back, when they saw his weeping 
mother among us. 

At the ascent of Calvary we found that, from 
some cause, the course of the mighty current of 
human beings was checked. We soon learned 
the reason. Jesus had, at length, sunk to the 
ground, under the weight of the wooden beams 
on which he was to die, and fainted. 

‘'He is dead was the cry of those about him ; 
but, as we drew near, he was reviving, some one 
having offered wine to his lips, and poured water 
upon his brow. He stood up, and looking 
mildly around, and meeting his mother’s gaze, 
he said, touchingly: 

"Weep not! Remember what I have often 
told thee of this hour, and believe! The sword 
pierces through thy soul, but it is held in my 
Father’s hand. Mine hour is come.” 

Thus speaking, he smiled upon his mother, 
and upon us, with a certain look of Divine peace 
illuminating his countenance. 

Barabbas, the robber-chief, who had, in some 
dep-ree, taken the lead of the mob, now, with the 
aid of three mien, raised the cross to the should- 
ers of Jesus, and ordered him to move on. But 
the young victim sank at once beneath the load. 
Upon this they were at a loss what to do; for it 
is ignominious for Jew or Gentile to aid in bear- 
ing a malefactor’s cross, and not a Roman would 
touch it; and the Jews would not for fear of de- 


446 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


filenient, which would compel them to be set 
apart afterwards for many days’ purification. 
Barabbas again raised Jesus to his feet, and be- 
gan to scourge him, to make him drag the heavy 
beams up the steep of Calvary. But he had no 
strength to advance three steps with it, though 
he made the effort to obey his tyrannous execu- 
tioners. At this crisis they discerned a Syro- 
Phcenician merchant, Simon of Cyrene, a vener- 
able man, well-known to all in Jerusalem, and 
father of the two young men, Rufus and 
Alexander, who were followers of Jesus, having 
sold, the last year, all they had, in order to be- 
come his disciples, and sit at his feet, and listen 
to his Divine teachings. Their father was, for 
this, or some other reason, particularly obnox- 
ious to Caiaphas, and, on seeing him, he pointed 
him out to the Centurion, '‘as one of the Naza- 
renes,” and suggested that he should be com- 
pelled to bear the cross after him. 

The Cyrenian merchant was at once dragged 
from his mule, and led to the place where the 
cross lay, believing he w^as about to be himself 
executed. But when he beheld Jesus standing, 
pale and bleeding, by the fallen cross, and knew 
what was required of him, he burst into tears, 
and kneeling at his feet, said : 

"If they compel me to this. Lord, think not 
that I aid thy death! I know that thou art a 
Prophet come from God! If thou diest to-day, 
Jerusalem will have more precious blood to an- 
swer for than the blood of all her prophets.’^ 

"We brought thee here not to nrpte, old m?^, 
but to work. Thou art strong-bodied. Up with 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 447 


this end of the cross, and go on after him!’' cried 
the chief priests. 

Simon, who is a powerful man, though three- 
score years of age, raised the extremity of the 
beam, and Jesus essayed to move under the 
weight of the other; but he failed. 

“Let me bear it alone. Master,” answered the 
stout Simon; ‘'I am the stronger. Thou hast 
enough to bear the weight of thine own sorrow. 
If it be a shame to bear a cross after thee, I glory 
in my shame, as would my two sons, were they 
here this day.” 

Thus speaking in a courageous and bold voice, 
and looking as brave as if he would as gladly be 
nailed to the cross for his Master, as carry it 
after him (for Simon had long believed m him, 
as well as his sons), he lifted the cross upon his 
shoulders, and ascended the steep after Jesus, 
who. weak from loss of blood and of sleep, and 
\7eary unto death, had to lean, for support, 
against one arm of the instrument of death. 

Ah, my dear father, what a place was this, up 
which we climbed ! Skulls lay scattered beneath 
our footsteps, and everywhere human bones 
bleached in the air; and we trode in heaps of 
ashes, where the Romans had burned the bodies 
of those whom they crucified. 

At length we reached the top of this hill of 
death, on which five crosses were already stand- 
ing. Upon one of them a criminal still hung, 
just alive, who had been nailed to it the noon be- 
fore. He called feebly for water, but some de- 
rided, and all passed him unheeded. There was 
an empty space on the summit, and here the Cen- 


448 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


Uirion stopped, and ordered the crosses to be set 
in the rock, where deep holes had been already 
cut for them. The crosses carried by the thieves 
were now thrown down by them ; by one with an 
execration, by the other with a sigh, as he anti- 
cipated the anguish he was to suffer upon it. 

The larger cross of the three was that for 
-Jesus. It was taken by three soldiers from the 
back of the old Cyrenian merchant, and thrown 
heavily upon the earth. It was now that a crisis 
approached, of the most painful interest. The 
Centurion ordered his soldiers to clear a circle 
about the place, where the crosses were to be 
planted, v/ith their spears. The Jews, who had 
crowded near, in eager thirst for their victim’s 
blood, gave back slowly and reluctantly, before 
the sharp points of the Roman lances, pushed 
against their breasts ; for the Centurion had with 
him full three-score men-at-arms, besides a part 
of Ilerod’s guard. So great was the desire of 
the Jews to get near, that helpless females could 
not be otherwise than crowded away from the 
immediate scene. John, however, held his place 
close by his Master. He relates that Jesus con- 
tinued to evince the same sublime composure 
when the Centurion commanded the crucifiers to 
advance and nail the malefactors to their crosses. 
The robber-lieutenant, Ishmerai, who was a^-* 
Edomite, upon seeing the man approach with 
the basket containing the spikes and hammers, 
scowled fiercely upon him, and looked defiance. 
He was instantly seized by four savasre-looking 
Parthian soldiers, of the Roman guard, and 
stripped, and thrown upon his back upon the 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 449 


cross. His struggles, for he was an athletic man, 
were so violent, that it took six persons to keep 
him held down upon the arms of the cross, and 
his palms spread open, to receive the entering 
nail; which one of the crucifiers, with naked and 
brawny arms, by pressing one knee upon the 
wrist, drove in, through the flesh and wood, with 
three quick and powerful blows, with his short, 
heavy-headed hammer. Ishmerai gnashed his 
teeth as the nail entered the quivering flesh. 
The other hand, in like manner, was fastened, 
with difticulty, to the other arm of the wood; and 
then, both feet being lapped together, a long, 
sharp spear-nail was driven through both into 
the timber, while a shriek, mingled with curses, 
bore testimony to the agony suffered by the 
wretched man. 

Thus secured, he was left, bleeding and writh- 
ing, by the six crucifiers: for there are four to 
bind the victim, one to hold the spikes, and the 
sixth to drive them home with his hammer; and 
from the glance I caught of their half-naked and 
blood-stained figures, they were worthy to hold 
the dreadful office, which made all men shun 
them as if they were leprous. 

They now approached Omri, the other robber, 
who was a young man, with a mild look, and a 
face, whose noble lineaments did not betray his 
nrofession. He w?s the son of a wealthy citizen 
in Jericho, and. had, by riotous living, spent his 
patrimony, and ioined "Rarabbas. He had heard 
Jesus preach in the wilderness of Jordan, and had 
once asked him, with deep interest, many thinsfs 
touching the doctrines he taught. John, who- 


450 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

had seen him talking with Jesus, a few months 
before, at Bethabara, now recognized him, and 
saw him regard the Prophet with reverential 
looks; and more than once heard the latter speak 
kind words to him as they climbed the hill. 

When the crucifiers, with their cords, baskets, 
nails, and iron hammer, drew near him, he said: 

*’I will not compel you to throw me down, I 
can die as I have lived, without fear! As I have 
broken the laws, I am ready to suffer the penalty 
of the laws.’' 

Thus speaking, he stretched himself upon his 
cross, and extending his palms along the trans- 
verse beams, he suffered them to nail him to the 
Avood, uttering not a moan. He glanced towards 
Jesus at the same time, with an expression of 
courage, as if he sought to show him that the 
pain could be borne by a brave man. And, per- 
haps, indeed, Jesus looked as if he needed a 
heroic example before him to show him how to 
die without shrinking, for his cheek was like the 
marble of Paros, in its whiteness, and he seemed 
ready to drop to the earth from weakness. His 
vouth — his almost Divine beauty, which not even 
his tangled hair, and torn beard, and blood- 
streaked countenance, could wholly hide — the 
air of celestial innocence that beamed from his 
eyes, drew upon him many glances of sympathy, 
even from some of his foes. The Centurion, who 
was a tall man, with a erizzlv beard, and with the 
hardy exterior of an old Roman warrior, looked 
npon him with a sad gaze, and said: 

do not see what men would hate thee for, 
for thou seemest more to be a man to love; but 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 451 


I must do my duty, and I hope thou wilt forgive 
me what I do. A soldier’s honor is to obey.” 

Jesus smiled forgiveness upon him so sweetly, 
that the stern Roman’s eyes filled with tears, and 
he placed his gauntleted hand to his face, to con- 
ceal his emotion, 

'‘Pilate would not do this crime, were there 
another legion or two with him. It is the few- 
ness of his men-at-arms that compels him to 
please these howling Jews.” 

This was spoken to Jesus, who made no reply; 
for, at this moment, the crucifiers drew nigh, to 
prepare him, by stripping, for the cross, lying at 
his feet. 

But, my dear father, I can go on no farther 
now with my narrative. I am weary, weeping 
at the sad recollections it calls before me, and at 
our present affliction. In my next I will give 
vou an account of the unhappy crucifixion of the 
Prophet of Nazareth, and with him, the cruci- 
fixion and death of all our hopes in him as Mes- 
sias of God. 


Your affectionate daughter, 

ADINA. 


LETTER XXXV. 

Jerusalem^ Third Morning after the ) 
Crucifixion, j 

My Dear Father: — It is now dawn, and I have 
arisen early, as I shall leave the city to-day, with 
my Uncle Rabbi Amos, and the whole family, to 
go to Bethany, to escape the Jews, who are dili- 
gently seeking the arrest of all in Jerusalem who 
were followers of the slain Prophet. As an hour 
or two will elapse before all is ready for our safe 
departure, I will occupy the interval in complet- 
ing my narrative of the crucifixion of Jesus; es- 
pecially as Rabbi Amos, finding I have been so 
careful, heretofore, in recording all things con- 
cerning him, desires me not to omit any particu- 
lars: as my account may hereafter be convenient 
to refer to, and, perhaps, if necessary, be laid be- 
fore Caesar, in defence of such as mav be sent to 
Rome on charges of sedition. T feel that my 
poor letters, dear father, are onlv vahiable to you, 
and those I love ; but, if they can aid in explain- 


THE PKINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 453 

ing anything for the exculpation of the poor 
Nazarenes, who are now so despised, and vigi- 
lantly hunted, they are at the service even of the 
mighty Tiberius himself. Their only merit is ac- 
curacy of detail and truthfulness, so far as cir- 
cumstances have enabled me to ascertain the 
truth. 

As I now resume my pen, to continue the par- 
ticulars of the crucifixion of the unhappy son of 
Mary, who, widowed and childless, still remains 
with us, mourning over her slain son, my heart 
involuntarily shrinks from the painful, subject, 
and bleeds afresh. But there is a fascination as- 
sociated with all that concerns him, even now 
that he is dead, and has proved himself as weak a 
mortal as other men, which urges me to write of 
him, and which fills my thoughts only with him. 

I have just alluded to his grief-smitten mother. 
Alas! there is no consolation for her. Her loss 
is not like that of other mothers. Her son has 
not only been taken from her by death, but has 
died, ignominiously, on a Roman cross, executed 
between two vile malefactors, as if he, himself, 
were the greatest criminal of the three: and not 
only this, but executed as a false prophet — as a 
deceiver of Israel — with a thousand glittering 
promises of Judea’s future g1<^rv through him, 
on his lips; which now. as his death proves, were 
vain promises, and that he made them to deceive 
his countrymen, for the temporary fame of draw- 
in?!* all men after him. She thus mourns, not as 
other mothers, and refuses to be comforted. 

Yet her love for her son — that deathless ma- 
ternal love, which seems immortal in its nature. 


454 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


is not buried with him. She, with dearest Mary 
and Martha, have just gone out, secretly before 
the Jews are astir, to pay the last duties to his 
dead body, ere we depart for an asylum in 
Bethany. They have taken spices, myrrh, and 
aloes, and sweet herbs, for the purpose of em- 
balming the body; for his mother hopes to get 
permission of Pilate to remove it some time to 
Bethlehem, to be laid in the tomb of his fathers. 
Until they return from this sad mission of love, 
I will continue my subject. 

When the Centurion, to whom was committed, 
by Pilate, the charge of conducting the crucifix- 
ion of Jesus, gave orders to bind him also to the 
cross, which lay upon the ground, like an altar 
awaiting its victim, the four Parthian soldiers, 
his brutal crucifiers, laid hold upon him, and be- 
^fan to strip him of his garments, for his enemies 
had put on him his own clothes, when they led 
him out of the hall of Pilate. He wore a mantle 
of spotless white, woven without seam, by Mary 
Martha, and which had been a present to 
'^'im, bv the sisters, as a token of their gratitude, 
for raising from the dead their brother Lazaru^^. 

When T saw them remove this robe, which was 
a visible attestation of his former power over 
depth, T could not believe that he could be him- 
self killed ! but would vet break away, by some 
t^'*ip*htv miracle, from his foes, and, scattering 
them, like dust before the wind, proclaim himself, 
with nower. the verv Son of God? But when I 
perceived that he stood, calmlv and sorrowfully, 
lettincr them do whpt thev would. I lost all hope, 
and turned awav weeping. His mother, sup- 


THE PKINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 455 


ported by John, could no longer gaze upon her 
son, and was borne afar off, crying thrillingly: 

“Oh let me not hear the crashing of the nails 
into his feet and hands! My son — my son! Oh, 
that thou W'Ouldest now prove to thy mother that 
thou art a true prophet!” 

“What means this wailing?” cried the fierce 
Abner; “w^ho is the woman?” 

“The mother of Jesus,” I answered, indig- 
nantly. 

“The mother of the blasphemer. Let her be 
accursed!” he cried in a savage tone; “thou seest, 
woman, wdiat is the end of bringing up an im- 
postor, to blaspheme Jehovah and the Temple. 
Thy hopes and his, O wretched woman, have this 
day miserably perished! So die all false Christs 
and false prophets! Thou seest, if he were the 
Christ, he would not stand there, and be cruci- 
fied, like a common malefactor!” 

Mary buried her face in her hands, and wept 
on my shoulder. She felt that it was too true! 
I could not look towards the place where Jesus 
stood. I dreaded to hear the first blow upon the 
dreadful nails, and as she stopped her ears, I 
would have closed mine also, but that my hands 
supported her. I could hear the awful prepara- 
tions — the rattling of the hard cord, as they 
bound him to the cross, and the low, eager 
voices of the four busy Parthians; and then the 
rattling of the spikes; and then a silence like that 
of the grave! Suddenly a blow of a hammer 
broke the moment of suspense! A shriek burst 
from the soul of his mother, that echoed far and 
wide, among the tombs of Golgotha! 


456 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


I could see — hear no more! John has told me 
the rest. Leaving the stricken mother with me, 
he and Lazarus drew near to where they were 
unrobing the Prophet, in order to bind him to 
the wood. They caught the eyes of their Mas- 
ter, who gazed upon them calmly and affection- 
ately. They said they had never before beheld 
him appear so majestic and great! He looked, 
as the Centurion afterwards said, “Like a god 
surrendering himself to death, for the safety of 
his universe!” 

Nothing but the ferocious madness of the 
Chief-Ih'iests and Jews, could have prevented 
them from being awed by the majesty of his 
presence. And, besides, there sat upon his brow 
heroic courage, with a certain divine humility 
and resignation. Not the rough hands of the 
barbaric soldiers, not the indignity of being 
stripped before the eyes of thousands, not the 
sight of his cross, nor of the thieves, nailed and 
writhing on theirs, moved him to depart, by look 
or bearing, from that celestial dignity which, 
through all, had never left him. 

He made no resistance when bound upon the 
cross, but resigned him.self, passively, into the 
hands of his executioners, like a lamb, receiving 
its death. ^‘Father,” he said, raising his holy 
eyes to Heaven, '‘forgive them, for they know 
not what they do.” But his heroic soul could 
not prevent the natural emotions of humanity at 
pain. The piercing nails, rending his tender 
ffesh, made it quiver, and caused him to turn 
deadly pallid, vdule a deep sip'h e'^cape^ his 
breast. Unlike the first robber, he did not re- 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


457 


sisl; unlike the second, he did not steel himself 
to indifference; but he met his fate like a man 
who fears not death, yet does not brave it! 

'’Great drops of sweat, when they nailed his 
feet to the wood, stoo’d upon his forehead,” said 
John, who remained near, to see his Master die, 
and to comfort and strengthen him; "and when 
the four men raised him and the cross together 
from the earth, and let the end drop into a hole 
a foot deep, the shock, bringing his whole weight 
upon the nails in his hands, tore and lacerated 
them, nearly dislocating the shoulders at the 
same time, while every sinew and muscle of his 
arms and chest were drawn out like cords, to sus- 
tain this unwonted weight upon them. The. first 
thief fainted from pain, at the shock caused by 
the setting of his own cross; and the second, cool 
and defiant as he had been, uttered a loud outcry 
of agony. But Jesus made no moan, though the 
unearthly pallor of his countenance showed how 
inexpressible was his torture. 

Ah, my dear father, I would draw a veil over 
this scene — for it is too — too painful for me to 
dwell upon. To the last, John believed his Mas- 
ter would not die — that he could not suffer! But 
when he saw how that pain and anguish seized 
heavily upon him, and how that he suffered like 
other men, without power to prevent it, he 
greatl}^ wondered, and began to believe that all 
the miracles that he had seen him perform must 
have been illusions. He could not reconcile th^ 
calmness and dignity, the heroic composure and 
air of innocence, with which he came to the 


458 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


cross, with imposture; yet his death would, as- 
suredly, seal as imposture all his previous career. 

The three crosses, that of Jesus in the midst, 
as the place of chief dishonor, being raised into 
the air, and fixed in the sockets of the rock, the 
Centurion commanded the adjacent space to 
be cleared, and that the malefactors be left 
to die. Oh, what a fearful death for Jesus! 
for him whom we knew so well, and whom 
we still loved, although he had deceived us. 
There, thought we, he might linger two 
or three days, dying slowly, as some have 
done, and exposed to the fierce sun by day, 
and the chilly winds of night, while about them 
hovered, on steady wings, the savage birds of 
prey, impatient for their feast. 

Much of the residue of the account I have from 
John, who remained at the last close to the cross, 
while we stood afar off, \vith his weeping mother, 
Mary of Bethany, Martha, Lazarus, and Mary, 
the mother of Salome, and other women, our 
friends from Galilee, who also had hope in Jesus. 
There we waited, in expectation of seeing him 
do some mighty miracle from the cross, and de- 
scend unharmed, showing to the world, thereby, 
his title to be the Messias of God. 

The Centurion having placed a guard about 
the crosses, to keep the friends of the crucified 
from attempting their rescue, stood watching 
them. The soldiers, who had nailed Jesus to the 
tree, began to divide, with nois}^ oaths, his gar- 
ments among themselves, as well as those of the 
^wo thieves, these being, by the Roman law, the 
fee of the executioner. This division being 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 459 


made, after some time, but not without high 
talking, and drawing of their long Syrian knives 
upon each other, they were at a loss what to do 
with the large white mantle, without seam, which 
the sisters of Lazarus had woven for the friend 
of their once dead brother. A group of the 
Roman guard being seated near, astride upon 
the four arms of a fallen cross, playing at dice, 
suggested that the Parthians should decide by 
lot whose it should be. This the latter consented 
to, and taking the dice-boxes in their bloody 
hands, each of them threw thrice. The higfiest 
number fell to the most ferocious of the four fel- 
lows, who, taking the mantle, wrapped it about 
his huge form, and, pacing up and down before 
the people, called, in a loud voice, himself a great 
prophet, and asked, in his broken, barbarous 
tongue, some of the Jews if they would like to 
have him foretell their fortunes. At this they 
began to cry out upon him, and stone him, as a 
blasphemer — and but for the interposition of the 
Centurion, a tumult would have been made. 
The soldier then proposed to sell the cloak, 
which John jo3dully purchased of him, by means 
of the jewels of several of the women, who gladlv 
took rings from their e^rs, and bracelets from 
their arms, I giving, dear father, the emerald 
which you bought for me at Cairo. But I could 
not see the robe, which Jesus had worn, thus 
desecrated: for still, oh ves, still we love him, 
even in his death, which death was his and our 
in^^amv! The mother of Jesus received the robe 
with deep emotions of gratitude to us all. But 


460 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


now, my dear father, how shall I describe the 
scenes and events that followed? 

After Jesus had hung about an hour upon the 
cross, ^milius came from Pilate, and bore the 
inscription, which it is usual to place above the 
heads of malefactors, showing their name, and 
the crime for which they are crucified. Above 
the head of Ishmerai was written, in Syriac: 
^‘Ishmerai, the Edomite.’' 

Robber.” 

Above that of Omri was inscribed, also, on a 
leaf of parchment, in the same tongue, his name, 
and the nature of his crime, which was that of 
robbery and blood-shedding. 

Above the head of Jesus, by means of a small 
ladder, was placed this inscription, in Greek, 
Latin and Hebrew: 

'This is Jesus, 

"The King of the Jews.” 

When the wicked Abner read this, he turned 
angrily to the Centurion, and to T^milius, who 
stood sadly near the cross: 

"Write not, O Roman, that he is 'King of the 
Jews,’ but that he said that he was King of the 
Jews!” 

“I have placed above him what Pilate has or- 
dered to be written,” answered the Centurion. 

Abner, upon this, mounted a mule, and hast- 
ened into the city to the Procurator, and laid his 
complaint before him. 

"What I have written, I have written, sir 
priest,” we have heard that the Procurator coldly 
answered. 


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THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 461 


you, then, have crucified this man for 
being our king, which we deny!” retorted 
Abner. 

“I will take his word, before that of all the 
Jew-s in Caesar’s empire,” answered Pilate, an- 
grily. “Pie said he was a king; and if ever a 
king stood before a human tribunal, I have had 
a true and very king before me to-day; and I 
have signed the warrant for his execution. But 
his blood be on your heads; for I was compelled 
to do this deed, or lose my Procuratorship; for 
else you would have had me before Caesar as a 
traitor. Leave my presence, Jew! Have I not, 
against my own convictions of justice and hu- 
manity, consented to gratify your thirst for this 
innocent person’s blood? What more do you 
demand? Is he not hanged? If you approach 
my presence more on this subject, by the gods of 
Rome, I will crucify you, and ten score more! I 
will pile a hecatomb to his manes!” 

Abner left his presence abashed, and returned 
to the hill of crucifixion. The Jews, in the mean- 
while, mocked Jesus, and wagged their heads at 
him, and reminded him of his former miracles 
and prophecies. 

• “Thou, that raisedst Lazarus, save thyself from 
death!” said a Pharisee. 

“If thou art the Son of God, prove it, by com- 
ing down from the cross!” cried the leader of the 
Sadducees, Eli. 

“Thou, who saidst if a man kept thy sayings 
he should never see death — let us see if thou 
canst avoid death thyself!” said Iddo, the chief 
of the Essenes. 


4C2 THE rUINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

^Tle saved others — himself he cannot save!’' 
mocked Ezekias, one of the chief priests. 

yEmilius, finding it impossible to save the 
Prophet from crucifixion, had come out to guard 
him from the usual insults of the rabble, while he 
was dying. He had now lost faith in Jesus as a 
Prophet, but he loved him still as a man, and 
pitied him for his sufferings. He talked with 
him, and earnestly prayed him, as he hung, if he 
were indeed a god, to show his power. Jesus 
made no reply: but, shortly, said, in a faint 
voice, — 

"I thirst." 

The generous knight ran and filled a sponge 
with the preparation of sour wine and hyssop, 
usually given to malefactors, after they have suf- 
fered awhile, in order to stupify them, and render 
them insensible to their sufferings. While 
^milius was affixing a sponge, dipped in this 
vessel of vinegar, upon a reed, split at the end to 
hold it firmly, Ishmerai, who all the while, as he 
hung, had uttered execrations upon his cruci- 
fiers, and upon Pilate, called, howling fiercely, 
to Jesus: 

“If thou be the Son of God, save thyself and 
us! If thou didst raise a man once from the 
dead, thou canst, surely, keep us from dying! 
Thou art a vile wretch if thou hast power as a 
prophet, and will not use it for me, when thou 
seest how heavy I am of body, and how my great 
weight tortures me, with infernal racking and 
rending of every joint." 

But Omri, rebuking his fellow, said: 

“Dost thou not fear God, seeing thou art in 


THE PKINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAAHD. 463 


the same condemnation. We suffer justly for 
our crimes, and to-day do receive the due reward 
of our transgressions; but this young man hath 
done nothing amiss, save to preach against the 
wickedness of the priests, and for being holier 
than they. Lord, I believe that thou art the Son 
of God! None but the Christ could do the 
works thou hast done, or suffer patiently, as thou 
art doing. Lord, remember me when thou com- 
est into thy kingdom, for I know thou wilt go 
from this, thy cross, to thy throne, and there 
reign for ever and ever. I have listened to tliy 
teaching on the banks of Jordan, and now be- 
lieve.” 

Jesus turned his bleeding head towards him, 
and, with a smile of ineffable glory radiating his 
pale face, said: 

“Verily, 1 say unto thee, this day shalt thou be 
with me in Paradise.” 

Omri, upon this, looked inexpressibly happy, 
and seemed to rise superior to his sufferings. 
The other cursed the Prophet aloud, and 
gnashed at him with his teeth, with demoniacal 
hatred. 

At this moment, ^milius came near with his 
dripping sponge, and presented the reed upwards 
to the parched lips of the suffering Jesus. When 
he tasted it, he would not drink, for he perceived 
it was the opiate which was usually given in 
compassion, to shorten the anguish of the cruci- 
fied. 

The robber, Ishmerai, now eagerly cried for 
the sponge, and the prefect giving the reed to a 
soldier, the latter placed it to the mouth of the 


464 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

robber, whose swollen tongue protruded, and he 
drank of it with a sort of mad thirst. The other 
man, also, gladly assuaged his burning fever with 
it, and soon both of them sunk into insensibility, 
hanging unconscious of their situation, and 
showing no other signs of life than the heavings 
of their chests, and, from time to time, the in- 
voluntary twitching of their muscles. But 
Jesus retaining his senses, in all their clearness, 
suffered all that such a fearful death imposes 
upon its victim. 

All at once, just as the sixth hour was sounded 
from the Temple, by the trumpets of the Levites, 
a cloud, which, formed by the smoke of the 
numerous sacrifices, had hung all day above the 
Temple, was seen to become suddenly of inky 
blackness, and to advance towards Calvary, 
spreading and expanding in the most appalling 
manner, as it approached us; and in a few min- 
utes, not only all Jerusalem, but Calvary, the 
Valley of Kedron, the Mount of Olives, and all 
the country were involved in its fearful darkness. 
The sun, which had before been shining with 
noon-day brilliancy, became black as sackcloth 
of hair, and a dreadful, unearthlv, indescribable 
night overshadowed the world. Out of the 
centre of the cloud, above the crosses, shot forth 
angry lightnings in every direction. But there 
was no thunder attending it — only a dead, se- 
pulchral, suffocating silence. 

Of the thousands who had been gazing upon 
the crucifixion, every one was now pmstrate 
upon the earth in terror! Jerusalem was b^ot+^ed 
•out from our view; only an angry spot of fire- 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 465 


red light, as it were the terrible eye of God it- 
self, was visible above the Temple, over the place 
of the Holy of Holies. The crosses soon were 
no longer visible, save by the fearful shine of the 
lightnings, flashing fiercely from the dread and 
silent cloud. The form of Jesus, amid the uni- 
versal gloom, shone as if divinely transfigured, 
and a soft halo of celestial light encircled his 
brow like a crown of glory; while the dark bodies 
of the two robbers could scarcely be discerned, 
save by the faint radiance emanating from his 
own. 

The darkness continuing, many of the multi- 
tude at length ceased their moans, and the beat- 
ing of their breasts, and rending their garments, 
and arose to their feet; but moved not; for none 
could stir from his place, for the midnight depth 
of gloom. They talked to each other in whis- 
pers. An undefinable dread was upon each 
mind. The sudden overspreading of the dark- 
ness was unaccountable as it was frightful. 
Mary, his mother, and Lazarus said, with awe, 
both speaking together: 

^‘This is his power. He has produced this 
miracle!” 

"'And we shall behold him next descend from 
the cross,” said Rabbi Amos. ^Xet us all take 
courage; and let what dismays his enemies, fill 
us with joyful expectation.” 

Three hours — three long and awful hours, this 
supernatural night continued; and all that while 
the vast multitude remained fixed, and waiting 
they knew not what. At length the cloud above 
the cross parted, with a loud peal of thunder. 


466 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


while a shower of terrible lightnings fell, like 
lances of fire, all around the hanging form of 
Jesus, which immediately lost its halo and its 
translucent radiance. His face, at the same time, 
became expressive of the most intense sorrow of 
soul, and he seemed, to all eyes, to be the central 
point of this fierce wrath of the heavens. 

A hundred voices exclaimed, with horror: 

“See! he is deserted, and punished by the Al- 
mighty!” 

We, ourselves, were amazed and appalled. 
Our rising hopes were blasted by the livid light- 
nings, which seemed to blast him. His mother 
gave utterance to a groan of agony, and sank 
upon the ground, satisfied that her son was truly 
accursed of God. At this moment, as if to con- 
firm all our fears, he cried, in the Hebrew 
tongue, with a loud voice, that, in the deep 
silence, reached the ears even of the Roman 
guard on the citadel: 

“Eloi! Eloi! My God, my God, why hast 
Thou forsaken me!” 

Upon this some ran to give him wine and 
hyssop. 

“Nay, let him live — let us see if Elias will save 
him!” answered Abner. 

Jesus then turned his head, and looked affec- 
tionately upon his mother, and committed her to 
the tender care of John, who stood supporting 
her near the cross. 

Suddenly the darkness, which had filled all the 
air, seemed now to concentrate, and ^rather about 
the cross, so that he became invisible. From 
the midst of it his thrilling voice was once more 


THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


4G7 


heard, as clear and strong as it rang over the 
waters of Galilee, when he preached from a boat 
to the thousands thronging the shore: 

‘‘It is finished! Father, into thy hands I com- 
mend my spirit!’' 

As he uttered these words, a supernatural 
glory shone around him, and, with a deep sigh, 
he bowed his head upon his breast and gave up 
the ghost. 

The general exclamation of surprise that fol- 
lowed these clear, trumpet-tones, was suddenly 
checked by a terrible trembling of the earth be- 
neath our feet, so that vast numbers of people 
were cast down; the rocks of the hill of Calvary 
were rent, and thrown upwards, while the whole 
city shook with the convulsive throes of an earth- 
quake. The temple seemed on fire, and above 
its pinnacle appeared a flaming sword, which 
seemed to us to cleave the walls to their founda- 
tions; and while we looked, the sword changed 
into the shape of a cross, of dazzling light, stand- 
ing high in the air, over the altar; and from its 
golden beams poured rays so bright, that all 
Jerusalem, and the hill country, for a wide ex- 
tent, becam.e as light as noon-day. The ground 
still continued to rock, and the sepulchres of the 
kings, with the tombs of ancient prophets, were 
riven by vast chasms, and the green earth was 
strewn with the bones and bodies of the dead. 
The dark cloud, which had begun to form first 
with the snmke of the Temple, was now dissi- 
pated by the lieht of the fiery cross, and the sun 
reapneared. Before it the glorious vision over 
the Temple gradually faded out and disappeared. 


468 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


The natural order of things gradually returned; 
and men, smiting their breasts, began to move 
towards the city, filled with awe and dread at 
what they had witnessed. The Centurion, who 
stood watching these fearful things, said, aloud, 
to yEmilius: 

“This man spake the truth. He was a God!’^ 

“Truly,’' responded ^milius, “this was none 
other than the Son of God — the very Christ of 
the Jewish Prophets. All things in the air and 
on the earth sympathize with his death, as if he 
were the very God of nature who has expired.” 

Sad and weeping, we left the dismal scene, 
hanging our heads in despondency, having, while 
wondering at these mighty events associated 
with his crucifixion, abandoned, forever, all hope 
that this was He, who should have redeemed our 
nation, and restored the royal splendor of 
Judah, the throne of the house of David. 

I am, my dear father, your loving daughter, 

ADINA. 


LETTER XXXVL 


Jerusalem^ Third Morning after the 1 
Crucifixion, j 

My Dearest Father: — I closed the last letter, 
but to resume in another the sad narrative which 
I have been writing to you. It is now half an 
hour to sunrise, and as the party who went to 
the sepulchre have not yet returned, I will still 
continue my painfully interesting subject. The 
mother of Jesus, who I thought went with the 
two Mary’s and Martha, remained at home un- 
able to bear the sight of her dead son. 

On the day on which the wonderful events 
took place, which I have detailed at large in my 
last letter, that dav which can never, for its signs 
and wonders, be forgotten in Jerusalem, the chief 
■nriests, at the head of whom was Abijah, met 
Pilate as he was riding forth from the citv, at- 
tended by a score of men at arms, to survev the 
deep rents made bv the earthquake, and to hear 
from the mouths of all the people the particulars 


470 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


of the marvels which attended the crucifixion of 
Jesus. When they came near him, they be- 
sought him that he would command his soldiers 
to take down the bodies, as the next day was a 
high-day, and that it was contrary to their cus- 
toms to have criminals executed or left hanging 
on that day. 

‘‘What think ye?’’ demanded Pilate, reining 
up and soothing his Syrian war-horse, which, 
startled at the dead bodies that lay near (for they 
were crossing the place of open tombs), had for 
some time tramped and plunged madly: “What 
think ye, priests! PTave you crucified a common 
man! — or a God? We think these mighty won- 
ders tell us that he was more than a man! All 
nature sympathizes with his death! The sun 
veiled his brightness, the heavens clad them- 
selves in mourning, the gods sent forth angry 
lightnings; and the earth herself heaved and 
rocked as if sharing the universal woe!” 

The priests loked troubled, and seemed un- 
able to answer: but Tereh, the chief priest of the 
house of Mariah, answered, and said: 

“My lord, these were wonderful phenomena, 
but they would have happened if this Nazarene 
had not died! Here is a famous astrologer from 
Arabia, who studies the skies, who says that the 
darkness was caused by an eclipse of the sun, 
and the dark cloud was but the smoke of the 
sacrifices, and the earthquake was but a natural 
and usual occurrence!” 

“Stay, sir priest,” answered Pilate: “we at 
Rome, though called barbarians by you polished 
Jews, have some scholarship in astrology. We 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


471 


know well that an eclipse of the sun can take 
place only when the moon is new! It is to-day, 
on this thy feast day, at its full, and will to-night 
rise opposite the sun! It was no eclipse, sir 
priest, and thy Arabian is a false astrologer. 
These events occurred because that man, your 
king, has been executed.” 

‘‘Why not for the two robbers as well?” de- 
manded Abner, with an incredulous sneer on his 
lip. 

Pilate made no answer, and was riding on, 
when Tereh, in behalf of the chief priests, asked 
permission to have the bodies of the crucified 
removed from the crosses and buried. 

“He cannot be yet dead, since it is only seven 
hours since he was nailed to the cross,” said 
Pilate; *T will see for myself.” 

Thus speaking, the Rom.an Procurator spurred 
on towards the top of the hill, followed by his 
body-guard; now avoiding an open grave; now 
leaping one of the freshly opened chasms; now 
turning aside from some body cast up by the 
earthquake. When he came in front of the 
crosses, he saw that Jesus hung as if dead, while 
the thieves still breathed, and from time to time 
heaved groans of anguish, although partly in- 
sensible from the effects of the opiate which had 
been administered to them. 

“Think you, Romulus, that he has any life in 
him?*’ asked Pilate, in a subdued tone of voice, 
gazing sorrowfully, and with looks of self-re- 
proach, upon the drooping form of his victim. 

‘‘He is dead, an hour ago,” answered the Cen- 
turion. “Pie expired when the earthquake shook 


472 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


the city, and the flaming sword was unsheathed 
in the air above the Temple! It was a fearful 
sight, sir, and the more wonderful to see it 
change in the shape of a cross of fire. I fear, sir, 
we have crucified one of the Gods in the shape 
of a man.'’' 

*Tt would appear so. Centurion," answered 
Pilate, shaking his head. would it had not 
been done! But 'tis past! The Jews desire 
their bodies to be removed before their great 
Sabbath. Caesar's orders are that they shall be 
humored always in all things touching their re- 
ligion, which do not mitigate against the Im- 
perial laws. Let them have their desire. The 
robbers are not yet dead!" 

“Nearly so. I will break their legs and re- 
move their bodies, your excellency," answered 
the Centurion. 

Pilate then turned his horse and rode slowly 
and sadly away from the spot. Romulus then 
gave orders to his soldiers to remove the bodies. 
One of them with a battle-axe approached the 
robber Omri, and at two blows broke his knees. 
With a shudder that shook the cross, he ceased 
to move. The first blow upon the limbs of Ish- 
merai caused him to open his eyes and to growl 
a half-intelligible execration; but at the second 
stroke his huge head fell upon his hairy chest, 
and, muttering a curse upon his executioners, he 
the next moment hung there dead! When the 
soldiers came to Jesus they saw that He was 
already dead. He seemed like a Phidian statue 
of the whitest marble of Paros. His polished 
limbs were shaped with celestial symmetry; his 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


473 


golden hair was tossed by the evening breeze 
about his brow and shoulders; his divine aspect 
death could not mar; and the contrast he pre- 
sented to the rough forms of the two malefactors 
between whom he hung, struck even the rude 
soldiers. 

‘‘Let us not break his legs,’' said one to the 
other, “it were sacrilege to mar such a manly 
form.” 

“Yet, we must ensure his death ere he be taken 
away,” responded the other. “I will pierce him 
to make sure!” 

Thus speaking, he directed his spear to the 
side of Jesus, and cleaved the flesh to his heart. 
John, who stood near, and saw and heard all, 
upon seeing this done, bowed his head to the 
earth in total abandonment of hope! Until that 
moment he had believed that Jesus would revive 
and descend from the cross; for to the last all our 
faith in his power to save himself was firm, 
though greatly tried v/hen we saw him in the 
hands of the Roman soldiers. Even when we 
beheld him nailed to the cross we did not give 
up hope, for we had all seen him raise Lazarus 
dead, and felt that he could free himself from the 
cross alive also. And, although after the earth- 
quake, we left the hill and returned, sorrowing 
and smiting our hearts, into the city, we often 
lingered and looked back to where he hung, ex- 
pecting to see him descend from it, and proclaim 
himself, by such a mighty miracle, the Son of 
God. John, first having delivered the mother of 
Jesus to our care, and many of the wom.en and 
others who had loved and followed him, re- 


474 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


niained long watching him, and expecting some 
great event. 

But when the unhappy disciple saw the Roman 
spear pierce his side, his own heart seemed to be 
pierced also. Hope perished forever! Jesus 
was dead — dead, and thus proved a deceiver. 
Yet his emotions were not of anger, but of sor- 
row; for he greatly loved him. 

When he raised his head to gaze upon his cru- 
cified Master, he saw flowing from the rent in his 
side two fountains together, one of crimson 
blood, the other of crystal water. He could not 
believe what he saw, until the soldiers and the 
Centurion also saw it, and expressed aloud their 
wonder at such a marvel. 

“Never was such a man crucified before,’’ ex- 
claimed the Centurion. “He is without doubt 
one of the immortal Gods, and therefore have 
the heavens and earth been moved with amaze- 
ment at the deed!” 

When John saw that Jesus was indeed dead, 
and all hope of his restoration to life was de- 
stroyed, he drew near, and asked permission of 
the Centurion to be allowed to have the body; 
for he had promised the mourning mother of the 
dead son that he would recover it, if possible, for 
sacred burial. But the Centurion, though a kind 
and generous man, answered that he could de- 
liver the body to no one without an order signed 
by the Procurator’s own hand. 

Upon this, John, after getting the promise of 
the Centurion that the body should not be taken 
down until his return, ran rapidly towards the 
city to ask the consent of Pilate. But in the 


THE rKlXCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 475 


meanwhile, Rabbi Joseph, the counsellor o£ 
Ariniathea, whom, my dear father, you have, 
many years ago, well known to be a man of 
probity and honor, and who stands high in favor 
wdth Pilate, met him as he was skirting the wall 
of the city wdth his cohort, and asked him if, 
when Jesus should be pronounced to be dead, he 
might take down the body and give it sepulture. 
Pilate did not hesitate to give his ready consent 
to this request, and taking from his purse a small 
signet engraved wdth his cipher, he placed it in 
the hands of the rich Rabbi. 

^'Go and receive the body of this wonderful 
man,’’ he said. ''Methinks thou art one who 
knew him well. What thinkest thou of him, 
Rabbi?” Joseph perceived that Pilate asked the 
question with deep interest, and seemed very 
greatly troubled in mind, and he answered him 
boldly: 

believe that he w’as a Prophet sent from 
God, your excellency, and that to-day has died 
on Calvary the most virtuous, the v.dsest, and the 
most innocent man in Caesar’s empire.” 

'^My conscience echoes your words,” answered 
Pilate, gloomily; and putting spurs to his horse, 
he galloped forward in the direction of the Get^i • 
semane Gardens. 

John, therefore, did not see Pilate, and on re- 
turning from the city weary and disappointed, 
he met the ruler, Nicodemus, who, attended by 
one of his Gibeonite slaves, was hastening into 
towui to purchase spices and linen to wrap the 
body in, as our manner is to bury. From him 
John learned, with great joy, how that Rabbi 


476 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

Joseph had seen Pilate, and obtained from him 
permission to take down and remove the body. 

When John reached the cross, he found, that 
Joseph, by the aid of Lazarus, Simon Peter, 
Mary, Martha, and Rabbi Amos, had taken it 
out of the socket in the rock, with its precious 
burden, and gently laid it upon the ground with 
the body still extended upon it. With many 
tears and lamentations they drew forth the cop- 
per spikes from the torn hands and bleeding feet, 
and with water from the brook Kedron, washed 
the enmarbling blood away, and wrapped the 
alabaster limbs in the spices and white linen, 
which Nicodemus presently arrived with. 

The bodies of the robbers in the meanwhile 
were taken, or rather torn down by the soldiers, 
and cast together into one of the yawning chasms 
rent by the earthquake, and covered by frag- 
ments of stone, which the soldiers, assisted by 
some of the baser Jews who still lingered about 
the place, cast down upon them. 

In the still, holy twilight of that dread day. 
the west all shadowy gold and mellow light, the 
air asleep, and a sacred silence reigning in hea- 
ven and on earth, they bore away from the hill 
of death the body of the dead Prophet. The 
shoulders of Nicodemus, of Peter, of Lazarus, 
and of John, gently sustained the loving weight 
of Him they once honored above all men, and 
whom, though proved by his death, to have 
fatally deceived himself as to his Divine Mission 
as the Christ, yet they still loved for his sorrow 
so patiently borne, for his virtues so vividly 
rememibered. 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


477 


Slowly the little group wound their way dow^n 
the rocky sides of Golgotha, the last to leave that 
fearful place in the coming darkness. Their 
measured tread, their low whispers, the subdued 
wail of the women who followed the rude bier of 
branches, the lonely path they trode, all com- 
bined to render the spectacle one of touching 
solemnity. On reaching the valley between the 
hill and the city, the shades of evening were 
gathering thick around them. They took secret 
ways for fear of the Jews. But some that met 
them turned aside with awe when they knew 
wTat dead corpse was borne along; for the im- 
pression of the appalling scenes of the day had 
not yet wholly passed away from their minds. 
At length they reached a gate in the wall of the 
garden attached to the noble abode of the 
wealthy Rabbi Joseph, who went before, and 
with a key unlocked it, and admitted them into 
the secluded enclosure. Here the thickness of 
the foliage of olive and fig trees created complete 
darkness; for by this time the evening star was 
burning like a lamp in the roseate west. They 
rested the bier upon the pavement beneath the 
arch, and awaited in silence and darkness the 
appearance of torches, wdiich Rabbi Joseph had 
sent for to his house. The servants bearing 
them were soon seen advancing, the flickering 
light from the flambeaux giving all things visible 
by it a wild aspect, in keeping with the hour. 

“Follow me,’’ said Joseph, in a low voice, that 
was full charged with great sorrow, as the ser- 
vants preceded him with their torches. 

The sad bearers of the dead body of Jesus 


478 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


raised their sacred burden from the ground, and 
trode onward, their measured foot-falls echoing 
among the aisles of the garden. At its farther 
extremity, where the rock of Moriah hangs beet- 
ling over the valley, and forms at this place the 
east wall of the garden, was a shallow flight of 
stone steps leading to a new tomb hewn out of 
the rock. It had been constructed for the Rabbi 
himself, and had just been completed, and in it 
no man had ever been laid. 

The torches flashed brightly upon its massive 
door, and upon a dark cypress tree, the branches 
of which drooped in majestic gloom around it. 
It seemed the very temple and shrine of death, 
so secluded — so solemn — so funereal was all! 

The servants, by command of Joseph, rolled 
back the stone, and exposed the dark vault of 
the gaping sepulchre. 

“How is it, most worthy Rabbi,’’ said a Ro- 
man Centurion, suddenly apprising them of his 
presence by his voice, “that you bury thus with 
honor a man who has proved himself unable to 
keep the dazzling promises he has allured so 
many of you with?” 

All present turned with surprise at seeing not 
only the Centurion, but half a score of men-at- 
arms, on whose helmets and cuirasses the torches 
brightly gleamed, marching across the grass 
towards the spot. 

“What means this intrusion, Roman?” asked 
Rabbi Joseph. 

“I am sent hither by command of the Pro- 
curator,” answered the Centurion; “the chief 
Jews have had an interview with him, informing 


THE PllIXCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAYID. 


479 


him that the man whom he had crucified had 
foretold that after three days he would rise again. 
They therefore asked a guard to be given them 
to place over the sepulchre till the third day, lest 
his disciples secretly withdraw the body, and re- 
port that their master is risen. Pilate, therefore, 
has commanded me to keep watch to-night with 
my men.” 

While the Centurion was speaking, several of 
the priests whom Joseph knew drew near, bear- 
ing torches; and also a company of women and 
relatives of Joseph and Mary, who had heard 
where they were, entombing the body, came to 
see the place wherein he was laid. 

'‘We bury him with this deference and respect, 
Centurion,” answered Rabbi Joseph, “because 
we believe him to have been deceived, not a de- 
ceiver. He was gifted by God with vast power, 
and therefore doubtless believed he could do all 
things. He was too holy, wise, and good to de- 
ceive. He has fallen a victim to his own wishes 
for the weal of Israel, which were impossible by 
man to be realized. We do this honor to the 
memory of one whom to know was to love, even 
though we are disappointed in seeing him estab- 
lish the kingdom in Judah.” 

The body of Jesus, wrapped in its shroud of 
spotless linen, and surrounded by the preserving 
spices of Arabia, was then borne into the tomb, 
and laid upon the table of stone which Joseph 
had prepared for his own last resting-place. By 
the light of the torches all present took a last 
look of the body, even the women of Galilee 
also, and ere they closed the tomb, Mary of Beth- 


480 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


any, her sister Martha, and Lazarus, also ap- 
peared, to gaze a tearful farewell upon the im- 
movable features of the dead Prophet, for a 
Prophet since the remarkable phenomena at- 
tending his death, we are all now assured he must 
have been; and that we have misunderstood, 
from their divine depth, many of his sayings and 
prophecies concerning himself. Simon Peter 
was the last to quit the side of the body, by 
which he knelt as if he would never leave it, and 
shedding all the while great tears of bitter 
grief. John only at last drawing him gently 
forth, enabled the Centurion and soldiers to close 
the heavy door of the tomb. Having secured it 
evenly by revolving it in its sockets, he placed a 
mass of wax melted by a torch upon each side of 
it over the crevices, and stamped each with the 
signet of the Procurator, which to break is 
death. 

The Jews which were present, seeing that the 
sepulchre was thus made sure by the sealing of 
the stone, and by the presence of the vigilant 
Roman guard of eighteen men, took their de- 
parture. Rabbi Joseph, Nicodemus, and the 
rest of the friends of Jesus, then slowly retired, 
leaving a sentinel pacing to and fro before the 
tomb, and others grouped about beneath the 
trees or on the steps of the sepulchre, playing at 
their favorite game of dice, or gazing upon the 
broad moon and singing their native Italian airs ; 
yet with their arms at hand ready to spring to 
their feet at the least alarm or word of alert. 
The tall, mailed figure of the Centurion standing 
motionless, leaning upon the hilt of his long. 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF HAVTD. 481 


straight sword, in a meditative attitude above the 
tomb, was at length shut out from the view of 
the retiring disciples, by the angle in the path 
which turned in the direction of the gate. 
[Something fearful must this instant have hap- 
pened; for the house has just shaken as if with 
an earthquake. What can be the meaning of 
these wonders] ? Such, my dear father, is the 
history of the arrest, trial, judgment, crucifixion, 
death, and burial of the mighty Nazarene Proph- 
et. I have been thus particular, not only to 
enable you to see, as if you had been present at 
all that passed, but also at the request of my 
uncle. Rabbi Amos, and to give vent to my own 
fulness of emotion. It was also due to myself 
who have believed in him so firmly, to show that, 
although he was crucified and is dead, the extra- 
ordinary events which accompanied his crucifix- 
ion attested that he was more than a man, if not 
the true Messias; and that, therefore, there is ex- 
cuse not only for me, for being his disciple, but 
for all others who followed him. You can also 
perceive, my dear father, from the honorable man- 
ner in which he was buried by the eminent coun- 
cillor, Rabbi Joseph, of Arimathea, that he was 
deemed by him innocent of any crime worthy of 
such a death ; and that he believed him to have 
been deceived, rather than a deceiver. 

It is this view of his character, combined with 
his patience, his dignity, his forbearance, his air 
of divine innocence on his trial, which makes us 
all still think and talk of him with tenderness and 
tears. All that remains to us of him is his body. 


482 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


and to this we have paid the homage of our rever- 
ential affection. 

This morning Mary and Martha, with others, 
have gone to visit his tomb in Joseph’s garden (as 
I have already said), for the purpose of embalm- 
ing it; and on their return we are to go to Beth- 
any for a few days until the violent hostility of 
the Jews to his followers subsides. The Pro- 
curator is daily looking for four legions of Ro- 
man soldiers from Syria as a reinforcement, when 
he will be able to protect us, and maintain com- 
pletely the supremacy of the Roman power. Oh, 
that these forces v^^ere here on the day of the 
crucifixion, for then, says Rabbi Amos, Pilate, 
conscious of military strength, would have acted 
freely, and saved Jesus from their hands. 

I hear now the voices of Mary and Martha, in 
the court of the street returning from the tomb. 
They are pitched to a wild note of joy! What 
can mean the commotion — the exclamations — 
the running and shouting all through the corri- 
dors and court! I must close and fly to learn 
what new wonder has occurred. 

In haste, your affectionate daughter, 

ADINA. 


LETTER XXXVII. 


Jerusalem^ I'^irst Day of the Week, 
Father, my Dear Father: — How shall I make 
known to you in words, the marvellous, joyous, 
happy, happy, and most wonderful news which I 
have to tell! My heart beats, my hand trembles 
with rapture, while a sense of profound awe im- 
presses all my soul. Jesus is alive! Jesus has 
risen from the dead! Jesus has proved himself 
to be the Son of God! Oh, now we know that 
Jesus is, indeed, the Messias who should come! 
Oh, that I could have doubted! Alas! that I 
should have written to you such words of dis- 
belief and of doubt, and have thought him in my 
heart a deceiver! Bu^ I have seen him, and he 
has forgiven me! None of us understood his 
words, which he spake to us before his cruci- 
fixion, concerning his death, and hence all our 
consternation and despair. But now we clearly 
perceive the meaning of all, and are amazed at 
our dullness and disbelief. His death, to our be- 


484 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

nighted apprehensions, seemed the seal to a life 
of falsehood: the proof that he was a false proph- 
et, rather than, as we now know it to be, a 
proof of his being the Son of God, by his resur- 
rection from the dead! 

I can scarcely hold my pen for joy and wonder, 
or collect mv thoughts, for very amazement, at 
what has transpired. But I will try, and calm 
my emotions, in order, my dear father, to make 
known to you the mighty events which have 
come to pass to-day. 

My last letter to you abruptly closed, as I was 
interrupted by loud exclamations of gladness, 
and great confusion, of running and calling, in 
the courts and corridors below. Upon hearing 
my name called by Mary, and others, in eager, 
joy trembling tones, I hastened to go down. On 
reaching the staircase I met my cousin Mary, 
ascending, almost flying. Wonder, love, and 
happiness inexpressible, beamed from her beau- 
tiful countenance. Meeting me, she threw her 
arms about my neck, and essayed to utter some- 
thing, but her heart was too full, and bursting 
into sobs, she wept convulsively upon my bosom, 
in an ecstasy of delirious joy. 

Amazed and confounded, not knowing what 
had happened, I held her to my heart, and tried 
to soothe her emotion. The voice of Martha 
now reached my ears from the foot of the stairs, 
talking rapidly to Rabbi Amos, who answered 
with loud exclamations! 

'‘What — what hath happened? Speak, dear 
Mary!’’ I asked, unable to wait longer in sus- 
pense. 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 485 


She raised her head, and through her tears 
and smiles, at length said, brokenly: 

“He — He — is — risen — oh, He is risen from 
the tomb!'' 

“'Who? ' I cried, half-believing, yet doubting. 

“The Lord! Our Mighty Master — Jesus — 
,the very Son of God, the Blessed! He is alive, 
Adina — alive and well!" 

“You have seen a vision, or your grief, at his 
death, Mary, has shaken your reason," I an- 
swered her. 

Upon this she released herself from my arm, 
and fixing upon me her large, earnest eyes, said: 

“Adina, be not faithless, but believing. Jesus 
is risen from the dead. He is alive, and walk- 
ing! I have seen Him — he has spoken to Mary 
of Bethany, Lazarus's sister, and also to me! 
Oh, joy, joy! He is the very Son of the Highest, 
and we have not been deceived; but we have 
been blind, and deaf, and ignorant, not to have 
understood that he must die, and rise again the 
third day! Come — delay not! I have flown 
into the city to tell thee; and Mary has told Peter 
and John, whom she met at the door, and who, 
doubting, as thou hast done, yet have run to see 
if these things be so. They will find the sepul- 
chre empty. Haste thee to go with us!" 

While overwhelmed with wonder, and tremb- 
ling with joy, I. was preparing to accompany her, 
Martha appeared, her face radiant with celestial 
happiness : 

^'You have heard the tidings of great joy, O 
Adina!" 


48G THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


“Can they be true, Martha?’’ I asked, earn- 
estly. 

'‘Yes, for I have seen him walking, heard his 
voice, and touched him! You, also, shall see 
him, for he hath sent us to tell his disciples.” 

At the gateway we met Mary of Bethany, who 
had been telling John and Peter the news, and 
had also made it known to Rabbi Amos and 
Nicodemus. They were talking together in the 
court, upon the crucifixion, when she burst in 
upon them with the cries I had heard — 'Tie is 
risen — He is risen!” 

We three now' hastened together towards the 
garden of Joseph, I wishing my feet wings, that 
I might reach the sepulchre sooner, fearing that 
the vision of Jesus would be vanished ere I ar- 
rived. As we were going out of the gate, we 
were met by four or five Roman soldiers, who, 
with aspects stamped with fear, were running 
past us into the city. 

"What means this flight and terror, men?” 
cried the captain of the gate. "You fly as if you 
were in full retreat from an enemy. Speak, 
Marius, you seem to have your senses!” he de- 
manded, of the youngest of the soldiers. 

We paused to hear what he said. 

"Per Dian, captain — we have been terrified be- 
yond measure,” answ^^ered the soldier. "My heart 
beats yet, as if it were an alarum-drum. You 
see, w'e w'ere a part of the guard left in charge of 
the sepulchre of this Jewish Prophet, crucified 
three days ago. Before dawn this morning, as I 
was pacing to and fro before the tomb, and my 
comrades w^ere reclining about at ease, and while 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 487 


I was idly gazing at the morning star, fading 
into the dawn, there suddenly shone round about 
us a light, like a descending meteor, accompanied 
by a rushing, like a legion of wings. The men 
started to their feet in amazement! On looking 
about us I saw a dazzling form, in the mid 
heavens, with broad wings of gold, sparkling 
with myriads of stars, every feather a star, and 
clad in raiment white and gleaming as the sum- 
mer’s lightning. This terrible presence, like 
that of one of the Dii Immortales, made us fear 
exceedingl}^ beyond any terror we had before 
experienced. But when we saw this mighty 
being descend straight towards the tomb, and be- 
held the resplendent majest}^ of his celestial vis- 
age, which blinded us, our hearts failed within us. 
The angel, or god, alighted amid a blaze of radi- 
ance at the door of the sepulchre; and as his foot 
touched the earth, it trembled, as if with a great 
earthquake. The soldiers shook with terror, and 
fell to the ground, before his presence, as dead 
men. 1 stood, unable to move, frozen by fear to 
a statue. He touched the great stone with one 
of his fingers, and it rolled outward at his feet, 
as if a catapult had struck it, and like a Jove 
taking his throne, he sat upon it! 

'‘But one thing more,” continued the soldier, 
"was wanting to fill my cup of terror to the full. 
And it followed. I saw the crucified Prophet 
rise up from the slab on which he was laid, and 
stand upon his feet, and walk forth alive, with 
the tread of some mighty conqueror! The celes- 
tial being, so terrible in his majestic splendor, 
veiled his face with his wings before his presence. 


488 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

and prostrated himself at his feet, as if in homage 
to one greater than himself! 

'‘I saw no more, but fell, insensible with terror, 
to the earth. When, at length, I came to my- 
self, the tomb was filled with dazzling forms of 
resplendent beauty; the air rung with music, 
such as mortals never before heard; and I fled, 
pursued by my fears, the rest of the soldiers ris- 
ing, and following me, each man fearing to look 
back.” 

‘‘This is indeed marvelous,” answered the cap- 
tain of the gate; ‘T saw the light, and felt the 
tremor of the earth; but I thought it was a 
thunderbolt which had struck the ground near 
the hill of Calvary. Go, let the Prefect ^milius, 
or Pilate himself, know what has happened.” 

The soldiers hurried forward into the city; 
while, confirmed now in the certainty that Jesus 
was risen, I hastened, with Martha and Mary, in 
the direction of the garden. 

“Thou believest now, Adina,” said Mary of 
Bethany, to me, as we flew along. 

“Yes — only let me behold him face to face, 
and I shall then be willing, at that hour, to meet 
death. How did the risen Lord look, Mary?” I 
asked. 

“There was the same benign and holy expres- 
sion — the same divine mafestv, the same loving 
words, and celestial dignity.” 

“How and where did you behold him, Mary?” 
I interrogated, as v/e drew near to the steep path 
leading to the gate of Joseph’s garden. 

“When we reached the tomb, with our spices 
and precious ointments, to embalm the body, we 


THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 4S9 


found it open, and the soldiers, who had guarded 
it, lying about upon the ground like dead men. 
Upon the stone sat the archangel, but the re- 
splendent light of his apparel and countenance 
were so tempered to our eyes, that, although we 
believed that it was an angel, we were not terri- 
fied, for his looks were kind, and the aspect of his 
face divinely beautiful, combined with a terrible 
and indescribable majesty. We shook with fear, 
and stood still, unable to move, gazing on him in 
silent expectation. 

“ ‘Fear not, ye,' he said, in a voice that seemed 
to fill the air about us with undulating music, 
‘fear not, daughters of Abraham. I know that 
ye seek Jesus, which was crucified! He is not 
here, but is risen, as he foretold. Lo! see the 
place where the Lord of Life, and Conqueror of 
Death, hath lain!' 

We then timidly approached, and looked in, 
and saw the sepulchre empty; but a soft light 
filled the v/hole place. 

“ ‘Go and tell his disciples, that the Lord is 
risen,' added the angel; ‘and that he will go be- 
fore them into Galilee. There shall they see 
him not many days hence!' 

“When the angel had thus spoken to us,'’ con- 
tinued Mary, “we departed quickly from the 
sepulchre with fear and great joy, and ran to go 
into the city, to bring his disciples word, accord- 
ing to the command of the angel. But I had not 
advanced so far as the gate of the garden, being 
behind the rest, when I beheld Jesus himself 
standing in my path. I stopped, between terror 
and joy. 


490 THE PRINCE OE THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


'All hail! daughter of Israel/ he said, 'Be not 
afraid. 1 am living, that was dead! It was 
needful that I should die, and rise again, that I 
might raise up from the dead all who die in me, 
to life immortal. Go, Mary, and tell my mother 
and my brethren, and Peter, and John, and 
Lazarus, that I am risen, and that I have spoken 
with you. Behold my wounded hands, that it is 
I myself! Be not afraid! I am the resurrection 
and the life!’ 

"I then cast myself at his feet, and worshiped 
him; and when I looked up, he was gone. 

^'The others did not see him. We now con- 
tinued on to the city, as if we had wings; yet, 
rapidly as we went, somie of the same Roman 
watch whom we met coming in just now, passed 
us, in their flight and alarm; for thev fled at first 
in different parties, different ways. But see! 
we are now at the gate of the garden,” added 
Mary of Bethany, in a low tone of awe. "He 
must be near us.” 

But we approached the tomb without seeing 
any man, having arrived before Peter and John, 
who had been delayed some time at the Jaffa 
gate, which route they took, as being nighest; 
but it was not opened when they reached it, and 
they were detained. We, therefore, found no 
one at the sepulchre. It was open, and empty. 
The stone in front, on which the archangel sat, 
was vacant. As we drew near, a bright light 
suddenly shone out from the tomb; and upon 
going nigher I beheld two angels, clothed in 
white robes, and with countenances of Divine 
radiance, seated, one at the head, and the other 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


49i 


at the foot of the slab of marble, on which the 
body of Jesus had lain. At the sight of these 
noble and beautiful beings, which we knew were 
sons of God, come down from heaven, we were 
affrighted. I sank upon the stone which had 
been rolled away, and remained without power 
of emotion. 

'‘Be not afraid, daughters of Jerusalem,'’ said 
one of the angels, speaking to us in the Hebrew 
tongue; “He whom ye seek, liveth — and dieth 
no more! He is risen from the tomb, which 
could not hold him but through his consent; for 
Jesus is Lord of Life, and Victor over Death and 
Hell, forevermore! Go your way, and tell his 
disciples that he awaits them at Nazareth, at the 
house of Mary, his mother, by the sea-side.” 

The angels then vanished from our sight; and 
at the same moment John and Peter came run- 
ning, and seeing the stone rolled away, John 
stooped down, and looked in, and said that he 
saw the linen clothes in which the body of Jesus 
had been wrapped, lying folded together, and 
also the napkin which had been bound about his 
head. Peter now coming up, breathless with 
eagerness and haste, no sooner saw the tomb 
open, than he went boldly in, and carefully ex- 
amined all for himself. He then called to John, 
who also went in, and both were convinced that 
their Lord had indeed risen from the dead; and 
when we made known to them what the angels 
had said to us, that Jesus would go before, and 
m.eet them in Galilee, they rejoiced greatly, and 
shortly afterwards departed, to hasten into Gali- 
lee, no longer doubting, but believing. I also 


492 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

returned with them, to convey the news to Mary, 
the mother of Jesus, who had not left the house, 
and scarcely her bed, in her great sorrow, since 
the day of the crucifixion. Mary of Bethany, 
however, remained, lingering near the tomb, 
hoping that Jesus had not yet left the garden, 
and that she might once more behold him. 

Seated upon the steps of the tomb, weeping 
for joy at his resurrection, and wishing once 
more to behold him, she heard a footstep behind 
her, and, turning round, saw a man standing near 
her. It was Jesus himself, and kneeling, she was 
about to clasp his feet, when he said to her: 

'‘Touch me not, Mary, I am not yet ascended 
to ni}’ Father. But go and tell Lazarus, and my 
brethren, and my mother, that I ascend, ere 
many days, unto my Father and your Father, 
and unto my God and your God.’’ 

Jesus then vanished out of her sight; and she 
came and told all these things to us, and to the 
disciples; and we all, once more, believed that 
Jesus was Messias and Christ, the immortal Son 
of the Blessed. Such joy as filled the bosoms of 
his friends was never before experienced by hu- 
man beings. Our happiness and exultation now 
were in proportion to our depression before his 
resurrection. 

But what pen can describe, my dear father, the 
amazement and consternation of Caiaphas, and 
the chief priests, and the rest of his enemies! 
The soldiers who had kept guard of the sepul- 
chre had entered the city bv different ways, and 
spread the report of the mighty miracle of the 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF HAVID. 


493 


resurrection through every principal street in 
Jerusalem, as they fled through it. 

Caiaphas hearing the uproar, sprang from his 
couch to inquire the cause of it, and on being as- 
sured by his servants, “Jesus has burst his tomb 
and risen alive from the dead!’’ he quaked, and 
became doadly pale. But he soon rallied, and 
sending for two or three of the soldiers, who were 
describing vividl}" what they had witnessed to a 
large concourse in the street, he questioned them 
closely upon the facts. The soldiers’ testimonv 
agreed together, and could not be gainsayed. 

When Pilate received the account from the 
Centurion of the guard, he said: 

“We have crucified a God, as I believed! 
Henceforth I am accursed!” and leaving his Hall 
of Judgment, he went and shut himself up in his 
own room, which he has not since left. But men 
say he neither eats nor sleeps, and that a dread 
fit of gloom has settled upon his soul. 

Caiaphas and the priests in the meanwhile as- 
sembled together in full sanhedrim, and hearing 
the testimony of the Centurion, were convinced 
that the fact could not be concealed of Jesus’ 
resurrection. 

“Who had seen him alive?” demanded the 
High-Priest. 

“I have seen him, my lard,” answered the 
Centurion, — *T saw his pierced feet and hands as 
he walked past me ; and the morning breeze blew 
aside his mantle and exposed to my eyes the 
open wound made by the spear of my soldier 
Philippus. He was alive, and in full strength of 
limb!” 


494 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


''Thou sawest a vision, Roman,’’ answered 
Caiaphas. “Come then aside with us, and let us 
talk with thee.” 

In a few minutes afterwards the Centurion left 
the court of the High-Priest’s palace followed by 
a Gibeonitish slave, bearing after him a vase of 
Persian gold. Pie has told every one since that 
he must have seen a spirit, for that the disciples 
of Jesus came by night and stole away the body 
of their master, while they slept, overcome with 
watching. His soldiers have also been bribed 
to tell the same tale. 

Such is the false version that now goes about 
the city, my dear father; but there are few that 
give it credence, even of our enemies. As 2Emi\- 
ius, who is filled with great joy at the resurrec- 
tion of Jesus, to-day very justly says: 

"If these soldiers slept on guard, they merited 
death therefore by the military laws of the em- 
pire. If, while sleeping, their charge — the dead 
body of Jesus — was taken away, they deserve 
death for failing to prevent it. Why, then, are 
they not placed under arrest' by Pilate’s orders, 
if this story be true? Because Pilate well knows 
that it is not true! He knows, because he has 
privately examined many of the soldiers, that 
Jesus did burst his tomb, and that angels 
rolled away the stone without breaking his seals, 
which could not have been left unmarred, but by 
a miracle. He knows that Jesus has arisen — for 
it is believed that he has also beheld him; at least 
such is the rumor of the Pretorium. It was the 
form of Jesus visible before him, doubtless, that 
drove him in such amazement from his Hall to 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 495 


his secret-chamber; for it was remarked that he 
started, turned deadly pale, and essayed to ad- 
dress the invisible space before him, as if he saw 
a spirit. Therefore his soldiers are not molested 
— and their exemption from arrest, is proof that 
the body of Jesus was not stolen away while they 
slept. Besides, if they were asleep, these sol- 
diers, how could they tell that it was stolen away, 
and declare the persons who did it?’' 

This is the unanswerable reasoning of the Pre- 
fect yp^milius; and thus you see, dear father, that 
Caiaphas can gain little by his briberies and dili- 
gently circulated falsehood. That Jesus of 
Nazareth is alive from the dead is true, and if I 
had not seen him, the evidence is complete 
enough to convince m.e of the fact. 

Besides the facts which I have stated, is the 
increasing testimony of the thousands, who, to- 
day, have gone out of the city to see the sepul- 
chre where he was laid. They say, both enemies 
of Jesus as well as our friends, that it was impos- 
sible for the door to have been opened by any 
human being, not by Pilate himself, without mar- 
ring the seals. They also assert that to remove 
the stone by night, which would require four 
men, and to bear forth the body, would have been 
impossible if the guard had been present; and if 
they had been asleep, they must have awakened 
them with the heavy noise made by rolling the 
massive door along the hollow pavement outside 
the sepulchre. 

^Tf,” say the common people, ‘‘the watch slept, 
why does not the Procurator put them to death?” 

This question remains unanswered, and the 


496 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


watch go about the streets unharmed ! My dear 
father, remember no more my unbelief, but with 
me, believe in Jesus, that He is the Son of God, 
the Saviour of Israel, the immortal Christ of the 
Prophets. 

Your affectionate daughter. 


ADINA. 


LETTER XXXVIII. 

Bethany^ House of Mary and Martha,^ ] 
one month after the Passover, j 
I deeply regret, my dearest father, the delays 
which have detained you so long from arriving 
at Jerusalem, but I trust that ere many days, the 
caravan for which you wait will reach Gaza, and 
that you will be enabled to resume your journey 
to the Holy City. I am now at Bethany, where 
I have been some time making it my home, for 
such was the hostility of the Jews, incited by the 
chief priests, against us, that, by Pilate’s com- 
mand, we were compelled to leave Jerusalem on 
the day of the resurrection, to remain until their 
hatred had in some degree subsided; for he said 
that the continued presence there of the disciples 
of Jesus, kept up constant occasion for tumult 
and interposition of the Roman authority. 

Uncle Amos has retired for the present to his 
farm, near Jericho; but will be here to-morrow 
to rem^ain with us. Therefore when you come 


498 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAYID. 

near to Jerusalem, instead of going directly into 
the city, turn aside by the road leading past the 
king’s gardens and go up the brook of Ked- 
ron, into the way of Bethany. I pray that God 
may preserve you in safety, and soon permit me 
the happiness of once more embracing you, after 
three long years of separation. 

And what eveilts have transpired, and to which 
I have been a witness in these three years! 
From the preaching of John the Baptiser and 
the baptism of Jesus by him, unto the glorious 
resurrection of the mighty Son of God! 
Favored, indeed, have I been to have been a 
dweller in Judea, during this eventful period, and 
to have seen and heard these things, which no 
other age of the world can parallel! But so far 
as one could know them, who was not an eye- 
witness, you, my dear father, have been faithfully 
informed of them through my letters. You 
have, therefore, before you the same testimony 
as I have, and those who have seen and now be- 
lieve. Once more, my dear father, read care- 
fully over the whole narrative, from the first let- 
ter, and thus, with all the facts fresh in your 
mind, answer to yourself this inquiry: 

^'Was not this man the Son of God? Was not 
he the very Christ, the divine and long-looked 
for ]\fessias? Was he not that mightv Prophet 
which should come into the world? If he were 
not, who is He? Who is He at whose birth the 
air was filled with angels, over whose couch hung 
a celestial star: before whose infant feet the three 
wisest men of the world, Shapha of Egypt, the 
son of Ham, Beltazar of Assyria, the son of 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 499 


Shem, and Thoropha, of Grecia, the son of 
Japhet, representing the family of mankind, 
bowed in adoration and worship, as to a God! 
Who is He for wdiom Herod the first slew three 
hundred and two-score children in Bethlehem, 
in order to reach his life? Who was He whom 
John the Baptiser proclaimed the ‘'Lamb of 
God,"' whose blood w^as the only fountain for sin? 
Who was he at whose baptism the heavens were 
opened above his head, and the spirit of God de- 
scended upon him in the form of a dove of light, 
w^hile the voice of the Lord, like the voice of 
many thunders, proclaimed from the depths of 
the cloudless skies, “This is my beloved Son?’' 
Who was He, my dear father, at whose word the 
tempest became still; the billowy waves placid; 
the winds hushed? Who w^as He that healed the 
sick and leprous by a word; who restored a lost 
arm or leg by touch ; wdio by a look re-animated 
the lifeless limb of the paralytic; who raised the 
daughter of Jairus; healed the Centurion’s serv- 
ant; restored to life the son of the widow of Nain; 
cast out a legion of devils from Beor, the Levite; 
restored the deaf and dumb nephew of the Gov- 
ernor of Syria to hearing and speech; gave to 
his disciples also the same power to do miracles; 
feeds at one time four thousand men, and another 
time live thousand, from a few pounds of bread 
and a few fishes, which a lad could carry in a 
basket; whom Moses and Elias came from the 
regions of the blessed, shining in resplendent 
glory, bright from the presence of the Father, to 
visit and hold communion with; who calls forth 
from the tomb of corruption Lazarus to life and 


500 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


health; who once w^hile praying, was answered 
by a voice from Heaven in the hearing of many 
people, “I have glorified My name, and will 
glorify it again 

Who was He, my father, at whose trial nothing 
could be found against him, and who, when de- 
livered to execution by Pilate to save himself 
and appease the Jews, was publicly declared to 
be an innocent man, by the act of the Procura- 
tor, in calling for water and washing his hands, 
and saying that he was clear of his blood, for he 
found no fault in him? Who w^as He at 
whose crucifixion the heavens grew black as 
sackcloth, the sun withdrew its light, the stars 
shot from their spheres, the lightnings leaped 
along the earth, the earth itself quaked, and the 
dead sprung from their graves? Who was He 
who on the third day burst the bars of the tomb, 
received as he wMked forth the homage of an 
archangel, whose servants were a seraph and a 
cherub, waiting behind him in the tomb; who 
appeared alive to his mother — to the women of 
Galilee — to Mary of Bethany, to Martha and 
Lazarus, and last of all to me also? Who was 
this wonderful person, my father — who was He 
but the Christ? Oh, read, reflect, compare the 
prophets that speak of Messias, with the life, and 
words, and deeds of Jesus; and the life of Jesus 
with the prophets. There thou wilt see that he 
has proven himself to be the very Christ, by 
what we in our ignorance looked upon as the 
seal affixed to an impostor. Isaias prophesied 
of the Christ whom he saw afar off, that “he 
should be a man of sorrow;” that he should be 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 501 


^'despised and rejected of men;” that he should 
be brought '‘as a lamb to the slaughter;” that he 
should be “taken from prison and judgment, and 
cut off from the land of the living;” that he 
should be “numbered with the wicked in his 
death, and make his grave with the rich!” How 
light, how dear, how plain, all these prophecies 
now are to me, and to us all ! How wonderfully 
in their minuteness they have been fulfilled, you 
already know. 

His resurrection also was foretold by himself, 
but we did not understand his words until now. 
When he spoke of destroying the Temple and 
raising it in three days, he spoke of the taber- 
nacle of his body! Oh, how many sayings, 
which, when spoken by his sacred lips, we un- 
derstood not, now rush upon us in all their mean- 
ing, proving to us that every step of his life was 
foreknown to him; that he went forward to his 
death aware of all things whatsoever that were 
going to befall him ! 

But his resurrection was also foretold by the 
holy David, when he said, “Thou wilt not leave 
his soul in Hades, nor suffer thy Holy One to see 
corruption; therefore my flesh shall rest in 
hope!” Even his arraignment before Pilate, 
Caiaphas, and Plerod, was foretold by David, 
when he said: “The kings of the earth set them- 
selves, and the rulers take counsel together, 
against the Lord, and against his Anointed:” yet 
the Lord saith, “Thou art my Son, this day I 
have begotten thee.” Also, mv dear father, turn 
to the Psalm xxii, of king David, and compare 
the following words, which speaks of Messias, 


502 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


with what I have described in my previous 
letters : 

“My God, my God! why hast thou forsaken 
me!’’ are prophetic words put into the mouth of 
Messias when he shall come, and be forsaken of 
God. You will find that in my letters I have told 
you that on the cross Jesus uttered these very 
words. 

Again, king David makes Messias, a few sen- 
tences further on, to say, ''The^^ shoot out the lip 
at me; they shake the head; they laugh me to 
scorn. They say, ‘He trusted in the Lord that 
he would deliver him.’ Thou hast brought me 
into the dust of death.” 

All this shows that Messias, if he were to be 
a king, was also to suffer, to be forsaken of God,, 
to be brought to death ! and yet we rejected Jesus 
as soon as he died! But, my dear father, read 
the sam.e P^salm of the holy king a little further^ 
and you will see these words, which were put by 
the royal prophet into the lips of his future 
Messias: 

“The assembly of the wicked have enclosed 
me. They pierced my hands and my feet. 
They part my garments among them, and upon 
my vesture cast lots!” 

Read and compare these acknowledged 
prophecies of Messias with the accounts in my 
letters, dear father, and you will not only be con- 
vinced that Jesus is the Messias of the prophets, 
and Christ of God, but you will perceive that his 
humiliation and sufferings before Pilate and 
Caiaphas, his agony on the cross, his death and 
burial, instead, as we ignorantly conceived, of 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


503 


being evidences that he was not the Christ, were 
proof that He was the very Son of the Highest — 
the Shiloh of Jehovah foretold by the prophets — 
the Anointed King of Israel. 

Oh, wonderful is all this! How marvelous 
these things passing before our eyes! Yet how 
have we been blinded — how gross and dark our 
minds that we could not, until He died, and has 
arisen again, see in him, all that he was in his 
suilerings and in his death — the Divine Mes- 
sias. Now all is dazzlingly clear! The prophets 
are unveiled to our sight, and we see that these 
things must have happened to him. Yet how 
quickly was He deserted and faith lost in him! 
How his disciples denied that they ever knew 
him; and how we all were ashamed that we had 
ever followed him ! Oh, our darkness, our blind- 
ness, to have seen in the prophecies of Messias, 
only the passages which speak of his glory and 
power, and passed by those, which as positively 
foretold of his humiliation, degradation, and 
death ! Read the prophets no longer, my dearest 
father, with a veil before your eyes! See, in all 
you read, Jesus as the end of the prophets, the 
goal of all their far-seeing prophecies, the veri- 
table and sure realization of their prophetic 
visions. 

But you have said, in one of your late letters 
to me, “that Elias must first come, ere Messias 
appear on earth; and then you ask me, where is 
Elias? Hath he come? Who hath seen him? 

This question, my dear father, was also put by 
some of the Jews to Jesus, He replied: 


504 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


‘'Elias truly has come, and ye knew him not, 
and ye have done unto him whatsoever you list.'' 

“Who was he?’' demanded several of the 
scribes and priests, surprised at hearing this. 

“He who came crying in the wilderness before 
me, and who spake of me, and whom Herod hath 
slain," He answered. 

“But his name was John, master," said they. 
“But his spirit and power were those of Elias," 
answered Jesus. “In Elijah's spirit and power 
he came, and thus was called the Elias that 
should come. The reality is the man. John 
was the Elias of Malachi the Prophet — for pro- 
phetic eyes see natures independently of names." 

Thus, my dear father, has Jesus in all particu- 
lars proved himself to be the subject of all 
prophecy — the King of Israel. But you will 
now ask, “Is He to re-establish the throne of 
David, and live forever?" 

Yes, but not in Jerusalem on earth. Oh, how 
clear are all things to my apprehension now! 
His kingdom, which I once believed to be the 
land of Judah, is to be in a world beyond the 
skies, which he has created for his followers, and 
to which they are to pass, like him, through the 
gates of death. The Jerusalem, in which His 
Throne is to be placed, is heavenly, and the true 
Jerusalem, of which the present one is but the 
material type — what the body is to the soul of a 
man. 

Jesus has talked with me since his resurrection, 
and explained all this to me, and much more that 
is wonderful and full of joy. It is now four 
weeks since he arose, and during that time, he 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 505 


has been not only seen by all the disciples, but by 
hundreds of his followers. The seventh day 
alter his resurrection he appeared openly at 
Nazareth, on the sea-shore, to Peter, John, An- 
drew, Janies, and other disciples, to his numerous 
relatives, and many of the chief citizens of his 
town, all of whom not only recognized him, but 
marveled to see his crucified hands and feet. The 
effect of this recognition, which was made by 
many, who, being up at the Passover, had seen 
him crucified, was to bring the whole population 
worshiping at his knees. The only change in his 
usual appearance, dear father, to the eye, is a 
transparent paleness, which gives a soft radiance 
to his whole aspect, and a certain majestic re- 
serve, which awes all who draw near to him; so 
that men speak in his presence in subdued whis- 
pers. His mother, happiest of women now, as 
she was before the most wretched, ever sits at his 
feet, and silently enjoys his sacred presence, sel- 
dom speaking, and looking up to him, rather as 
a worshiper, to her God, than a mother upon her 
son. That He is in the flesh in reality, and not a 
spirit. He has proven to his disciples, by eating 
with them; and in a remarkable way to an in- 
credulous disciple, called Thomas, who, not be- 
lieving that Jesus was risen in his real body from 
the dead, was told by the Divine Lord to place 
his fingers into his hands, and his hand into his 
side; which Thomas in fact did do; when, falling 
at his feet in amazement and adoration, he wor- 
shiped him as God. 

It would take much time, my dear father, to 
record the numerous instances in which the risen 


506 THE PRINCE OE THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

Lord has been seen and spoken with, by persons 
who knew him before his crucifixion; so that 
there is no fact so fully established in the minds 
of many thousands in Judah, as the resurrection 
of Jesus from the dead. 

And if fuller proof is wanted, it is to be had, as 
Abram, the learned Pharisee, has been forced to 
confess to Rabbi Amos, in the conduct of his 
disciples, after their Master’s crucifixion. For 
they began their defection by denying him, and 
deserting him; they fled in all directions, and 
studiously concealed the fact of their former con- 
nection with him. They were not only moved 
by fear to this concealment, but by shame being 
sorely mortified at having been led away by him : 
for they were honest, plain, sensible men, without 
fanaticism or fanciful vagaries. They had be- 
come the followers of Jesus, because they saw in 
him that moral purity and truth, which formed 
the elements of their owii characters. These 
plain, homely men, — these poor fishermen, and 
humble countrymen, deeply felt how their false 
position, among judicious folks, would now make 
them appear, and so they hastened to bury their 
disgrace and disappointment in the seclusion of 
the fishing hamlets of Galilee; and doubtless de- 
sired never more to hear spoken into their ears 
the name of their crucified Master. 

But what do we behold, within a week afte^ the 
resurrection is made known through the length 
and breadth of Judah? Thev who had hidden 
in dismay, from the face of dav, came boldly 
forth, and once more were with their Lord, for- 
given by him, and received by him again into his 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 507 


holy confidence. They went with him wherever 
He went, even to Jerusalem, from which they 
had but a few days before fled. They walked 
with animated steps, and elevated faces, like men 
no longer serving a defeated monarch, but like 
men whose Master was Lord of heaven and of 
earth. 

To-day they are with him in the gardens of 
David, at Bethlehem, where he is holding daily 
a solemn council with the eleven, unfolding to 
them the future glory of his kingdom, and open- 
ing their understanding to the clear apprehen- 
sion of all which the prophets have written con- 
cerning him. John, who is a member of this 
divine council, says that the power of Jesus, the 
extent and majesty of his kingdom, the infinite 
results of his death and resurrection, are not to 
be conceived of by those who have not listened 
to the sublime revelations of his own lips. 

“He hath shown us,’’ said John, “how that his 
true office as Son of God, and Son of Man, is to 
be a mediator between both; that by his death 
he reconciled the race of Adam to his Father, 
having become our Lamb of sacrifice for the 
whole world. He showed us that He, himself, 
was the High Priest ; his own precious body was 
the victim, which He, himself, offered up to ap- 
pease the wrath of Jehovah against transgres- 
sions, and how that the Cross was the Altar of 
this great world’s sacrifice, and the Temple the 
whole earth and heavens. He showed us how 
that all the lambs which had bled since Adam’s 
day, tvpified himself, the one only true and effi- 
cient Lamb, which God ultimately looked to, to 


508 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


be sacrificed for sins! How wonderful, dear 
father, is all this! He further teaches his disci- 
ples, that he will shortly ascend from the earth, 
to enter upon his celestial reign; and that his sub- 
jects there are to be all who love him and keep 
his commandments. It is a kingdom of holi- 
ness, and none enter there but the pure in heart. 
He says further, that as we do now confess our 
sins over the blood of the victim we sacrifice for 
ourselves in the Temple, so henceforth, we must 
look to him (by faith when we see him no 
longer), slain a sacrifice for us, and confess our 
sins to the Father for his blood's sake, which the 
Father has accepted, in the one sacrifice he made 
on the cross, once for all. Jesus has moreover 
taught his disciples that the Gentiles are to share 
equally with the children of Abraham the bene- 
fits of his death and resurrection; that this good 
news shall be proclaimed to them by his disciples, 
and that they will gladly hear it and believe. 
That the gospel of redemption, no longer by the 
blood of bulls and of goats, but by his blood, 
shall in the progress of ages fill the whole earth; 
when every knee shall bow to his name. 

'The foundation of my everlasting kingdom,’’ 
he saith, "truly shall be laid upon earth in the 
hearts of men; but the building is with God 
eternal in the heavens. The tomb through 
which I have passed is the gate, and all who 
would come after me, and enter in, must follow 
in my foot-steps.” 

Thomas then asked his Lord whither he would 
o-o, and the way? How he would leave the 
earth, since he could die no more? 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. 509 


'^'hou shalt see for thyself ere many days 
pass/’ answered. Jesus. '‘In that I have risen, 
all whom my Father giveth me shall rise also 
from the dead; and those whom I raise up, I 
will take with me the way I go; for where I am 
they shall evermore be with me also.” 

Such, dear father, is a brief account of what 
John has told us, on visiting us, touching the 
divine teaching of Messias, the Son of God, re- 
specting his kingdom. Yet much is still mys- 
terious; but we know enough to be willing to 
trust ourselves to him for this life, and for that 
which is to come. We know that all power is 
given into his hands, and that he can save all 
men who believe in, and accept him as the only 
sacrificed Lamb, whom the Father hath accepted 
for the iniquities of men. The sacrifices of the 
Temple must henceforth cease. 

What is remarkable, dear father, notwithstand- 
ing the Jews have heard that Jesus walks every- 
where through Jewry, yet no efforts are made to 
lay hands on him. At his presence, crowds of 
his enemies fly like the stricken multitude before 
the advancing sirocco. His presence in Judea 
is a present dread, like some great evil, to those 
who fear him; but like. a celestial blessing to 
more who love him. Pilate, on the eve of mak- 
ing a journey last week to Bethel, before quitting 
the city, dispatched couriers in advance to ascer- 
tain whether Jesus the crucified was on the line 
of his route! Caiaphas having occasion to 0*0 to 
Jericho, a few days after the Passover, hearing 
that Jesus had been seen with his disciples on the 
road, made a circuit round by Luz and Shiloh, in 


510 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

order not to meet him. The gates of this city 
are kept constantly shut, lest -he should enter 
within the walls: some of the chief priests fearing 
greatly to Dehold his face, while others imagine 
that he is engaged in raising an army, to advance 
upon and take Jerusalem from the Romans. 
And doubtless, dear father, were the kingdom of 
Jesus of this world, he would in a few days lead 
a countless host against the city, and make him- 
self master of Judea. But his kingdom is above; 
and all who dwell in the true Jerusalem, must 
follow’ him thither through sufferings, humilia- 
tion and death. 

I rejoice to see by your last letter, that you 
may be expected to reach here the week after 
next. Oh, that you were here now, that you 
might be taken by John to see Jesus: for from 
what he says he will not long remain visible 
among us. Whither he goeth or how he goeth 
aw’ay, no man can say. We are filled with ex- 
pectation of some great event, which will con- 
clude the brilliant and wonderful succession of 
marvels, that attend his foot-steps and presence 
on earth. 

Faithfully, your loving daughter, 

ADINA. 


LETTER XXXIX. 


Bethany^ Forty Days after the ) 
Resurrection » ) 

Dear Father: — with emotions that nearly de- 
prive me of the power to hold my pen, and with 
trembling fingers that make the words I write 
almost illegible, I sit down to make known to 
you the extraordinary event, which will mark 
this day in all future time as the most worthy to 
be noted among men. 

In my last I informed you that Jesus after his 
wonderful resurrection, which was declared to 
all men by infallible proofs, gathered once more 
his amazed and adoring disciples about him, 
and taught them, with more than mortal wisdom 
and eloquence, the great truths appertaining to 
his kingdom, which he now appointed them to 
extend throughout all the world. 

On the fortieth day, my dear father, early in 
the morning, he left the house of Mary and 
Lazarus, where he had sat up with us all night, 


612 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

(for none of us thought of sleep within the sound 
of his heavenly voice), speaking to us of the 
glories of heaven, and the excellency of heart and 
purity of life required of all who should enter it. 

''Lord,’’ said Martha, as he went forth, 
“whither goest thou?” 

“Come and see,” he answered. “Whither I 
go ye shall know, and the way ye shall know: 
for where I am ye shall also be, and all those 
who believe in me.” 

“Lord,’’ said Mary, kneeling at his feet, “re- 
turn at noon, and remain with us during the heat 
of the day.” 

“Mary,” said Jesus, laying his hand gently 
upon her forehead, “I am going to my Father’s 
house! There thou shalt one day dwell with me 
in mansions not made with hands. Follow me, 
and thou shalt know the way thither! Through 
temptation I have first trodden it, through suffer- 
ing, through death, and through resurrection 
from the dead. So also must thou and all who 
love me follow me. To my friends, the gate of 
the tomb opens into the world of life eternal.” 

Thus speaking, he walked slowly onward 
towards the hill of Bethany, not far from the 
place where Lazarus was buried. Fie was fol- 
lowed not only by Mary, Martha, Lazarus, and 
John, my cousin Mary and myself, each of us ex- 
pecting from his words and manner, some new 
and great event to take place ; but by all the disci- 
ples, who had presently joined him near the 
cemetery, at the foot of the hill. There were at 
least five hundred persons in all, moving on with 
him ere he reached the green hill-side beyond 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


5 IS 


the village; for all followed him, expecting to 
hear more glorious revelations from his lips of 
the life beyond this. 

“He goes to the hill to pray,’’ said one of his 
disciples. 

“Nay,” said Peter, “he prays not since his 
resurrection as before. He has no need of 
prayer for himself, who has conquered sin, 
Satan, death, the grave and the world!” 

“Pie goeth to show us some mighty miracle, 
from the expression of power and majesty in his 
aspect,” said Thomas to me, gazing upon the 
Lord with awe ; for each moment as he ascended 
the hill, his countenance grew more glorious with 
a certain God-like majesty, and shone like the 
face of Moses descending from Mount Sinai. 
We all hung back with adoring fear, and alone 
he proceeded onward, a wide space being left by 
us between ourselves and him. Yet there was 
no terror in the glory which surrounded and 
shined out from him ; but rather a holy radiance, 
that seemed to be the very light of holiness and 
peace. 

“So looked he,” said John to us, “when we be- 
held him transfigured in the mount with Elias 
and Moses.” 

The hill, which is not lofty, was soon sur- 
mounted by his sacred feet. He stood upon its 
apex alone. We kept back near the brow of the 
hill, fearing to approach him, for his raiment 
shone now like the sun, while his countenance 
was as lightning. We shaded our eyes to be- 
hold him. All was now expectation, and look- 
ing for same mighty event — what we knew not! 


514 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

John drew nearest to him, and upon his knees, 
with clasped hands looked towards him earn- 
estly; for he knew, as he afterwards told us, what 
would take place; Jesus having informed him the 
night before. Joy and yet tears were on his 
face, as he gazed with blinded eyes, as one gazes 
on the noon-day sun, upon his Divine Master. 
It was a scene, dear father, impressive beyond 
expression. The hill-top was thronged with an 
expectant, awe-stricken multitude, which knew 
not whether to remain or fly from the glorious 
majesty of the presence of the Son of God. The 
blue sky spread out its illimitable concave above 
the hills without a cloud. At the foot of the 
eminence towards the holy city, slept the gardens 
of Gethsemane, where Jesus loved to walk, and 
where he was arrested. Jerusalem, with its 
towers, pinnacles, palaces, and gorgeous Temple, 
glittered in the distance; and Calvary, studded 
with fresh Roman crosses, stood out boldly in 
view, in the transparent air. The tall cypresses 
which grew above the tomb of Joseph, where he 
had lain, were also visible. Jesus seemed for a 
moment to survey these scenes of his suffering, 
of his ignominy and death, with the look of a 
divine conqueror. He then turned to his disci- 
ples and said: — 

‘'Ye have been with m.e in my sorrows, and 
you now shall behold my glory, and the reward 
Avhich my Father doth give me. To-day I take 
leave of you and ascend to my Father and your 
Father. Remember all things which I have 
taught you concerning my kingdom. Go forth 
and teach the glad tidings of salvation to all men, 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 515 


and baptize all nations in the name of the Father, 
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; and lo, 
I am with you alway, even unto the end of the 
world.’' 

Thus speaking, in a voice that thrilled every 
bosom with emotions indescribable, he extended 
his hands above their heads and blessed them, 
while we all fell upon our faces to the ground, 
also to receive his blessing. 

He then lifted up his eyes to the calm blue 
depths of heaven, and said: — 

“And now, O Father, glorify thou me with 
thine own self, with the glory which I had with 
Thee before the world was!” 

As he spoke, we raised our faces from the 
ground, and saw him leaving the earth, rising 
from the hill-top into the air, with a slow and 
majestic ascension; his hands outspread over us 
beneath, as if shedding down blessings upon us 
all. The loud burst of surprise which rose from 
five hundred voices at seeing him soar away into 
the atmosphere, was followed by a profound and 
awful silence, as we watched him rise and still 
rise, ascending and still ascending into the upper 
air, his whole form growing brighter and 
brighter, as the distance widened between his 
feet and the earth I 

Upon our knees, in speechless amazement, we 
followed his ascent with our eyes, not a word 
being spoken by any soul : and hearts might have 
been heard beating in the intense expectation of 
the moment. 

Then in the far off height of heaven, we be- 
held appear a bright cloud, no larger than a man’s 


-51G THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

hand, but each instant it expanded and grew 
broader and brighter, and swift as the winged 
lightning, it descended through the firmament 
downward, until we beheld it evolve itself into a 
glittering host of angels, which no man could 
number, countless as the stars of heaven. As 
these shining legions descended, they parted into 
two bands, and sweeping along the air, met the 
ascending Son of God in the mid sky! The rush- 
ing of their ten thousand times ten thousand 
wings, was heard like the sound of many waters. 
Surrounding Jesus, like a shining cloud, they re- 
ceived him into their midst, and hid him from 
our eyes, amid the glories of their celestial 
splendor. 

While we stood gazing up into the far skies, 
hoping, expecting, yet doubting if we should 
ever behold him again, two bright stars seemed 
to be descending from the height of heaven 
towards us. In a few seconds we saw that they 
were angels. Alighting on the place Jesus had 
left, they said to the eleven, “Why gaze ye up 
into heaven, ye men of Galilee? This same Jesus 
whom ye have seen go into heaven, shall so com.e 
in like manner as ye have now seen him ascend!^’ 
Thus speaking, they vanished out of our sight! 

* 45 > * * * * 

The above account, my dear father, of the 
ascent yesterday into heaven of the Christ, our 
Blessed Lord Jesus, I wrote the same evening, 
while all the circumstances were present and 
vivid upon my mind. Oh, what a sublime spec- 
tacle! What human language can describe it! 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. 517 


But one thing I have presented clearly to you^ 
dear father, and that is the fact that Jesus has 
ascended into the heaven of heavens ! Oh, amaz- 
ing realit}^ Overwhelming truth! What, oh 
what is earth? — What is Judea? — What is man? 
— that God is mindful of Him — that He should 
so have visited him! And when He has visited 
us — when His Divine Son, the brightness of the 
glory of the Father, has descended to earth, and 
assumed our nature, to reconcile us to God, and 
obtain an eternal life for us, how has He been re- 
ceived? Shunned for his voluntary poverty — 
despised for his humble human parentage — hated 
for his holiness — tried before tribunals for crimes 
unknown to him — scourged and spit upon,, 
mocked, and buffeted, and crucified with thieves,, 
as if his enemies would render his death as ig- 
nominious as it was capable of being made! 

But behold the issue! See, when he had paid 
the debt of death for us, the change in all things! 
He awakes to life! He bursts the tomb! He 
walks forth from the sepulchre! Angels are his 
servants! After forty days on earth, unfolding 
to his disciples the mysteries of his gospel and 
the splendor of his kingdom, he ascends visibly 
to heaven at mid-day from Bethany, in the sight 
of many hundreds, and is escorted by armies of 
angels to the right hand of the majesty on high! 

Such, my dear father, is the appropriate crown- 
ing event of the extraordinary life of Jesus, both 
Lord and Christ! His ascent from this earth 
into the heaven of heavens, not only is proof that 
He came from God, but that God is well-pleased 
with all that He has done in the flesh. If in any 


$18 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 

one thing He taught, He spoke what was not 
true, either concerning the Father or concerning 
himself, he would not have received such a wel- 
come back to the heavenly abodes! All that 
Jesus said of himself is therefore true! Jehovah 
attests it! We must then believe, or we can have 
no interest in the kingdom which He has gone to 
prepare for us, and which we can enter only as 
He has traveled through it, through humiliation, 
suffering, death, the tomb, resurrection, and also 
ascension! Thus did he truly say, “The way I 
go ye shall know!'' 

liis kingdom is therefore, my dear father, 
clearly not of this world, as he said to Pilate, the 
Procurator; but it is above. To it he has 
triumphantly ascended, attended by legions of 
Cherubim and Seraphim, an ascent which David 
clearly foresaw in vision, Vv^hen he wrote: 

“God has gone up with a shout, he has as- 
cended on High!" 

Doubt, then, no longer, dearest father! Jesus, 
the son of Mary in His human nature, was the 
Son of God in His Divine nature ; an incompre- 
hensible and mysterious union, whereby he has 
brought together in harmony the two natures, 
separated far apart by sin, by sacrificing His own 
body as a sin-offering, to reconcile both in one 
Immaculate body upon the cross. There is now 
no more condemnation to them who believe in 
Him and accent Him: for in His bodv He took 
our sins. J^nd with his precious blood, as that of a 
lamb without blemish, cleansed them forever 
aw?iy. 

But I cannot write all I would say to you, dear- 


THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


519 


est father. When we meet, which }'Ou rejoice me 
in saying, will be on the first day oli the week, at 
Jerusalem, I will unfold to you all that the divine 
and glorified Jesus has taught me. Doubt not 
that He is Messias. Hesitate not to accept Him; 
for He is the end of Moses, and of the Law, and 
of the Prophets, the very Shiloh who should 
come and restore all things, to whom be glory, 
power dominion, majesty, and excellency ever- 
more. 

Your loving daughter, 

ADINA. 


[Here terminates the series of letters of the 
Jewish maiden to her father, written during the 
Procuratorship of Pontius Pilate, under the reign 
of Tiberius Caesar, the Roman Emperor. They 
cover a period of three years and six months, em- 
bracing all the events of the Life of John the 
Baptist, and of the Holy Jesus of Nazareth, to 
the day of His ascension into heaven. 

The Roman Centurion, ^milius, it would ap- 
pear from history, became Procurator of the 
Island of Britain in the West, and with Adina, 
his noble lady, was the first to entertain the 
Christian Apostle, Saul of Tarsus, otherwise 
Paulus, on his visit thither to proclaim at those 
ends of the earth the gospel of Jesus the Cruci- 
fied, in obedience to the command left by Him 
with His disciples, that they should preach His 
gospel to every creature. 


520 THE PRIXCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 


The history of the first establishment of the 
faith of Jesus in this remote Roman barbaric 
Province by the Jewish Apostle, and of its spread 
throughout the island, are to be found written in 
detail in certain letters, which the daughter of 
^Linilius and of Adina wrote to her brother, a 
Roman knight at Rome] . 

Endorsement upon the original Letters of 
Adina by the Roman Jewish Scribe, 

ELIAS BEN EZRA. 




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23 THE SECOND COMING OF OUR LORD, by Rev. A. 

T. Pierson, D D. 

24 THOUGHT AND ACTION, by Rt. Rev. Phillips Brooks. 

25 THE HEAVENLY VISION, by Rev. F. B. Meyer. 

26 MORNING STRENGTH, by Elisabeth R. Scovil. 

27 FOR THE QUIET HOUR, by Edith V. Bradt. 

28 EVENING COMFORT, by Elisabeth R. Scovil 

29 WORDS OF HELP FOR CHRISTIAN GIRLS, by 

Rev. F. B. Meyer. 

30 HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE, by Rev. Dwight L. 

Moody. 

31 EXPECTATION CORNER, by E. S. Elliot. 

32 JESSICA’S FIRST PRAYER, by Hesba Stratton. 


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1 INDEPENDENCE DAY, by Rev. Edward E. Hale. 

2 THE SCHOLAR IN POLITICS, by Hon. Richard Olney. 

3 THE YOUNG MAN IN BUSINESS, by Edward W. Bok. 

4 THE YOUNG MAN AND THE CHURCH, by Edward 

W. Bok. 

5 THE SPOILS SYSTEM, by Hon. Carl Schurz. 

6 CONVERSATION, by Thomas DeQuincey. 

7 SWEETNESS AND LIGHT, by Matthew Arnold. 

8 WORK, by John Ruskin. 

9 NATURE AND ART, by Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

10 THE USE AND MISUSE OF BOOKS, by Frederic 

Harrison. 

11 THE MONROE DOCTRINE: ITS ORIGIN, MEAN- 

ING AND APPLICATION, by Prof. John Bach 
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12 THE DESTINY OF MAN, by Sir John Lubbock. 

13 LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP, by Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

14 RIP VAN WINKLE, by Washington Irving. 

15 ART, POETRY AND MUSIC, by Sir John Lubbock. 

16 THE CHOICE OF BOOKS, by Sir John Lubbock. 

17 MANNERS, by Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

18 CHARACTER, by Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

ig THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW, by Wash- 
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20 THE BEAUTIES OF NATURE, by Sir John Lubbock. 

21 SELF RELIANCE, by Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

22 THE DUTY OF HAPPINESS, by Sir John Lubbock. 

23 SPIRITUAL LAWS, by Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

24 OLD CHRISTMAS, by Washington Irving. 

25 HEALTH. WEALTH AND THE BLESSING OF 

FRIENDS, by Sir John Lubbock. 

26 INTELLECT, by Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

27 WHY AMERICANS DISLIKE ENGLAND, by Prof. 

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28 THE HIGHER EDUCATION AS A TRAINING FOR 

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29 MISS TOOSEY’S MISSION. 

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by Jerome K. Jerome. “ A book for an idle holiday.’* 

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25 ESSAYS, First Series, by Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

16 ESSAYS, Second Series, by Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

17 REPRESENTATIVE MEN, by Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

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18 THOUGHTS OF THE EMPEROR MARCUS 

AURELIUS ANTONINUS, translated by George 
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19 THE DISCOURSES OF EPICTETUS WITH THE 

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as LETTERS, SENTENCES AND MAXIMS, by Lord 
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heart. By Ik Marvel. 

24 DREAM LIFE, by Ik Marvel. A companion to Reve- 

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25 SARTOR RESARTUS, by Thomas Carlyle. 

26 HEROES AND HERO WORSHIP, by Thomas Car- 

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27 UNCLE TOM’S CABIN, by Harriet Beecher Stowe. 


28 ESSAYS OF ELIA, by Charles Lamb. 


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ag MY POINT OF VIEW. Representative selections from 
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36 THE PRINCESS ; AND MAUD, by Alfred (Lord) 

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37 CHILDE HAROLD’S PILGRIMAGE, by Lord 

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38 IDYLLS OF THE KING, by Alfred (Lord) Tennyson. 

39 EVANGELINE, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. 

40 VOICES OF THE NIGHT AND OTHER POEMS, 

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42 THE BELFRY OF BRUGES AND OTHER 

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48 THE HEROES OR GREEK FAIRY TALES, by 

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49 A WONDER BOOK, by Nathaniel Hawthorne. 

50 UNDINE, by de La Motte Fouque. 

51 ADDRESSES, by the Rt. Rev. Phillips Brooks. 

52 BALZAC’S SHORTER STORIES, by Honore de 

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53 TWO YEARS BEFORE THE MAST, by Richard 

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54 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. An Autobiography. 

55 THE LAST ESSAYS OF ELIA, by Charles Lamb. 

56 TOM BROWN’S SCHOOL DAYS, by Thomas 

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57 WEIRD TALES, by Edgar Allan Poe. 

58 THE CROWN OF WILD OLIVE, by John Ruskin. 

Three lectures on Work, Traffic and War. 

59 NATURAL LAW IN THE SPIRITUAL WORLD, 

by Professor Henry Drummond. 

60 ABBE CONSTANTIN, by Ludovic Halevy. 

61 MANON LESCAUT, by Abbe Prevost. 


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62 THE ROMANCE OF A POOR YOUNG MAN, by 

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63 BLACK BEAUTY, by Anna Sewell. 

64 CAMILLE, by Alexander Dumas, Jr. 

65 THE LIGHT OF ASIA, by Sir Edwin Arnold. 

66 THE LAYS OF ANCIENT ROME, by Thomas 

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67 THE CONFESSIONS OF AN ENGLISH OPIUM- 

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68 TREASURE ISLAND, by Robert L. Stevenson. 

6g CARMEN, by Prosper Merimee. 

70 A SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY, by Laurence Sterne. 

71 THE BLITHEDALE ROMANCE, by Nathaniel 

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72 BAB BALLADS, AND SAVOY SONGS, by W. H. 

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73 FANCHON, THE CRICKET, by George Sand. 

74 POEMS, by James Russell Lowell. 

75 JOHN PLOUGHMAN’S TALK, by the Rev. Charles 

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76 JOHN PLOUGHMAN’S PICTURES, by the Rev. 

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77 THE MANLINESS OF CHRIST, by Thomas 

Hughes. 

78 ADDRESSES TO YOUNG MEN, by the Rev. Henry 

Ward Beecher. 

79 THE AUTOCRAT OF THE BREAKFAST 

TABLE, by Oliver Wendell Holmes. 


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80 MULVANEY STORIES, by Rudyard Kipling. 

81 BALLADS, by Rudyard Kipling. 

82 MORNING THOUGHTS, by Frances Ridley Havergal. 

83 TEN NIGHTS IN A BAR ROOM, by T. S. Arthur. 

84 EVENING THOUGHTS, by Frances Ridley Havergal. 

85 IN MEMORIAM, by Alfred (Lord) Tennyson. 

86 COMING TO CHRIST, by Frances Ridley Havergal. 

87 HOUSE OF THE WOLF, by Stanley Weyman. 


AMERICAN POLITICS (non-Partisan), by Hon. Thomas 
V. Cooper. A history of all the Political Parties with their 
views and records on all important questions. All political 
platforms from the beginning to date. Great Speeches on 
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style, $4.00. 

NAMES FOR CHILDREN, by Elisabeth Robinson Scovil, 
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weight or importance than naming the baby. The author 
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ject. Cloth, x2mo.,^ .40. 

TRIF AND TRIXY.byJohn Habberton, author of “Helen's 
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MANUAL OF MYTHOLOGY. For the use of Schools, Art 
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liam H. Klapp, Headmaster of The Protestant Episco- 
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‘Hthas been acknowledged the best work on the sub- 
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ard works ” 

THE AGE OF FABLE : OR BEAUTIES OF MYTH- 
OLOGY. By Thomas Bulfinch,with Notes, Revisions, 
and Additions by William H. Klapp, Headmaster of 
The Protestant Episcopal Academy, Philadelphia. 
With 200 illustrations and an Exhaustive Index. Large 
i2mo., 450 pages, 1^1.25. 

This work has always been regarded as classical author ity, 
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1 THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. 

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3 LINE UPON LINE. 

4 PRECEPT UPON PRECEPT. 

5 THE PATHWAY OF SAFETY. 

6 GOLD DUST. 

7 BEECHER’S ADDRESSES TO YOUNG MEN. 

8 DAILY FOOD FOR CHRISTIANS. 

9 THE MANLINESS OF CHRIST. 

10 THE PATHWAY OF PROMISE. 

XI JESSICA’S FIRST PRAYER, AND JESSICA’S 
MOTHER. 

12 THE THRONE OF GRACE. 


















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